§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S. E., Rugby)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the police officer, to whom Captain Plunkett telegraphed not to hesitate to shoot the people of Youghal if it should be necessary, was County Inspector Brownrigg; whether County Inspector Brownrigg was recently summoned before the Youghal Bench for an assault upon a local merchant, and fined; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Chief Secretary to entrust this officer in future with such discretionary power as is named in the telegram?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The telegram sent by Captain Plunkett was addressed to County Inspector Brownrigg. With regard to the circumstances of the case mentioned in the second paragraph of the Question, I have to say what was stated by my Predecessor on a previous occasion—that County Inspector Brownrigg was summoned for an alleged assault while in the discharge 837 of his police duties, and was fined a farthing, without costs—the presiding magistrate, in announcing the decision of the Bench, stating that the case ought not to have been brought into Court.