HC Deb 27 June 1867 vol 188 c605
MR. MAGUIRE

said, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. Blake), he rose to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, as the Coroner's Jury impanelled to inquire into the cause of the death of Denis Walsh, killed on the 13th instant, at Waterford by one of the men composing a constabulary escort, did not arrive at a verdict, it is the intention of Government to direct an official inquiry to he held for the purpose of ascertaining whether the slaying of the said Denis Walsh was justifiable?

LORD NAAS

said, in reply, that, in the case in question, a Coroner's inquest was the only legal inquiry that could take place. It was true that, in consequence of their disagreement, no verdict was returned by the Jury; but the Executive had no power to direct any special inquiry in the case. It was open to any one to lay any information before a magistrate; and if that were done the case would be dealt with in the ordinary course of law. No facts had been brought under the notice of the Government which would show that an inquiry into the conduct of the police on the occasion in question was necessary.