HC Deb 21 March 1887 vol 312 cc849-51
MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the regular Constabulary' force for the North Hiding of the County of Tipperary stands at 309 men; whether, out of that number, there are at present only 26G men in active service in the district; whether the sum of £1,000 is annually paid out of the Riding for what is termed extra police; whether, including the so-called extra police, the regular force is at present short of the number of 19; and. if so, whether he will fill up the regular Parliamentary quota, and relieve the ratepayers from this tax for extra police; whether he will inform the House, or give a Return, as to the number of persons at present under police protection, and the number of men employed in discharge of protection duty in North Tipperary; whether at the recent Spring Assizes at Nenagh, where the presentment for this Extra Police Tax was opposed, the presiding Judge, Baron Dowse, replying to the traverser, made use of these words— It is imperative on me to puss this presentment, otherwise I would be most happy to concede to the just application. You must look for redress elsewhere; and, whether he will explain, while there is a comparative absence of crime in the county, as stated by Baron Dowse, why the ratepayers are burdened with this tax for extra police?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The full force of the North Riding of Tipperary is 309 men—namely, 266 free force and 43 extra men. The number actually serving is 290, leaving 19 vacancies, which, according to statute, are proportionately divided between the free and extra men. It is impossible that the full force should always be present in any county, as allowance must be made for occasional absence, and for recruits training at the depôt. I have already explained, with regard to extra police generally, that the chief reason why they are required is for the protection of individuals. In the North Riding of Tipperary there are six persons under constant protection, and 22 under protection by patrols—the number of police employed on this duty being six and 27 respectively, or a total of 33.

MR. T. P. GILL (Louth, S.)

The right hon. Gentleman says there are 33 of the police engaged in protection duty. Will he say what the rest of the extra police are doing?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have said there are 43 extra men, and I have accounted for 33, the greater part.

MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is a fact that the Judge said it was the most peaceable county in the Circuit?

[No reply.]