§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR(for Mr. SEXTON) (Liverpool, Scotland)asked the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the death of Private Aherne, in the Military Hospital, Belfast, from the effects of injuries indicted by violence in the square of the Military Barrack at Belfast, What course he intends to take upon the statement of the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, that Aherne lay for seven hours in the Military Hospital without any medical attendance; that the police officers who called at the barrack to make inquiry were informed that "nothing unusual had occurred;" that the dying man's deposition was not taken; and that the fact of his death was concealed from the civil authorities, and only came to their knowledge through a statement volunteered by a servant of the undertaker who provided the requisites for the funeral; whether the Military officials at Belfast made no intimation to Private Aherne's mother or brother of the injuries he had suffered, or of his death; whether Private Aherne's brother, acting on behalf of his mother, has written to the Military authorities at Belfast, and to the War Office, five times, with respect to the effects of the deceased soldier, and whether the matter has yet been settled; whether Private Aherne had served fourteen years; and, in view of the fact that his mother has now no means of subsistence, whether any allowance will be made to her?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN) (&c.) Stirling,Before Notice had been given of the hon. Member's previous Question addressed to the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, the hospital sergeant who was on duty was tried by court martial for his action in reference to the death of the deceased, and was reduced to the rank of corporal. It appears that 754 the reply that "nothing unusual had occurred," as reported to the police, might have been on account of the police having inquired at the barracks of the Highland Light Infantry; whereas Aherne belonged to the Royal Irish, and was in their barracks. The depositions of the dying man could not be taken, as from the 6th of January up to his death he was delirious. Previous to that no fatal result had been anticipated. Notice was served on the Civil authorities, and the inquest was held on the following day. Aherne's relations were written to on the 6th of January to the address which he had given; but the letter came back from the Post Office. The mother was then communicated with by the priest of the parish after his death. Two communications as to his effects were received at the War Office; but some necessary information was awaited. That information having since arrived the distribution of the effects to the legal relatives has been authorized. Private Aherne had nearly 13½ years' service; but there is no Regulation under which the Secretary of State could make any allowance to the deceased soldier's mother.