§ MR. LESLIEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the dismissal, by the Commissioners of the National Board in Ireland, of the Reverend J. M'Kenna, P.P., from the post of manager of a National School in the county of Monaghan; and, if so, whether it is true that an investigation on public grounds was asked for and refused by the Commissioners, and that, contrary to one of the written Rules of the National Board, the manager of a School was dismissed without investigation made and due notice given to all parties concerned?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, he had made inquiry respecting the case referred to by the hon. Gentleman and found there was no truth in the statements advanced. The real facts of the case were these—In March last Mr. M'Kenna was charged with having used his position as manager of a National School to induce the teachers of those schools to interfere in the election of Poor Law Guardians in contravention of one of the rules of the Commissioners. Mr. M'Kenna was informed that an inquiry would be held, and requested a postponement of the date fixed for it in order that he might obtain evidence from America. This request was granted, but an application for a further postponement was not acceded to, whereupon Mr. M'Kenna absolutely refused to attend the inquiry. As the Commissioners could hold no inquiry in the absence of the principal person concerned they dismissed him from the position of manager of the schools.