HC Deb 16 June 1890 vol 345 cc1034-5
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether civil processes for damages have been issued by Mr. Thomas Barry, P.L.G., against District Inspector Ball and Sergeant R.I.C., Currabeha, Fermoy, in which the defendants are charged with assaulting and wounding the plaintiff; and whether, since plaintiff announced his intention of proceeding by civil bill for the assault, he Las been served with a summons for having obstructed the police?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As legal proceedings are pending it would not be proper for me to enter into details of the case, though I may say that the Report I have received does not agree with the allegation in the question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Is this man to be kept in gaol in order to prevent him proceeding with his case?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No doubt every facility would be given him.

MR. CLANCY

Is this one of the cases in which the Government will defend the police?

MR. T. M. HEALY

The point is this This person was assaulted by the police, and he took proceedings in order to vindicate himself. The police retaliated by prosecuting him. Now, I ask what are the dates of the respective proceedings?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. and learned Member knows he can easily ascertain the dates for himself.

MR. FLYNN

Has this man been served with a summons under the Crimes Act?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot say. I will ascertain.