HC Deb 21 March 1887 vol 312 cc816-8
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on 9th January, Sergeant Wharton, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, entered the house of a Mr. John M'Nulty, near Loughglynn, and arrested J. M'Nultyand eight other persons whom he found in the house; whether Sergeant Wharton searched J. M'Nulty and took money from his person; whether, on M'Nulty objecting to this treatment, Constable Anderson, who accompanied Sergeant Wharton, drew a revolver and threatened to use it against M'Nulty and the others; whether J. M'Nulty and the others were taken by Sergeant Wharton and his force before the Honourable Charles Ffrench, a brother of Lord do Freyne, whose tenants they were and whose rents they were accused of withholding; whether the entry into the house of Mr. M'Nulty by the band of armed constables, the arrest?, the searching of Mr. M'Nulty, and the seizure of his money were each and all made without any warrant; whether proceedings against Mr. M'Nulty have recently been dropped by the Government; and, whether the Government propose in any way to recompense M'Nulty and the others for the treatment they have received?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)

(who replied) said: John M'Nulty and nine other persons were arrested, as stated in the first paragraph of the Question, without a warrant, on a charge of criminal conspiracy, when actually engaged in collecting money under the Plan of Campaign, which was seized by the sergeant. They were at once brought before Mr. Ffrench, as described in the Question, the nearest, and indeed only, available magistrate. He confined himself, after having taken an information, to ordering the discharge of nine of the accused, and sending M'Nulty's case for investigation to Petty Sessions, offering to accept bail for his appearance thereat. A rescue having been threatened Sergeant Wharton drew his revolver, and cautioned the persons interfering to stand aside; but he used no threats to M'Nulty. M'Nulty and five others were returned for trial from Petty Sessions; and, as I have already stated, in answer to a Question, in the exorcise of the discretion I possess I have directed that the proceedings should not be continued by the Crown, but that no recompense will be paid to the accused.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether there was any warrant?

MR. HOLMES

I have already said there was not.

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman state who was the magistrate before whom the men were brought?

MR. HOLMES

I have stated it was the Mr. Ffrench described in the Question.

MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer the second paragraph of the Question—whether Sergeant Wharton searched M'Nulty and took money from his person?

MR. HOLMES

Oh, I omitted to state that the sergeant took money which had been collected by M'Nulty.

MR. CHANCE

And the sergeant was not entitled to do so?

MR. HOLMES

I hold he was perfectly entitled to do so.