§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that, on the occasion of the arrest of Mr. Fallon, of Geevah, in the county of Sligo, the police refused to show the warrant under which they acted until they had conveyed their prisoner to Sligo, a distance of sixteen miles from his home; and, if so, whether this is not a contravention of the Peace Preservation Act; and, whether arrests made under such conditions are legal?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he would admit that the police had refused to show the warrant on the occasion of the arrest of Mr. Fallon to that person until he arrived at Sligo, 16 miles from his home. As to the legality of such a course the Act said the warrant must be given on the "occasion" of the arrest; but he did not know whether that meant absolutely the moment of the arrest, and he was not aware whether the Courts would not decide that under the Act it was sufficient; but he was convinced that a delay in showing the warrant was not desirable. He was informed that the reason why the warrant was not shown was in consequence of the great excitement, the resident magistrate, the sub-inspector, and 100 police being employed at the arrest of the "suspect." However, he thought it would have been better to have presented the warrant immediately.
§ MR. O'DONNELLwished to know whether a rescue at the moment of the 211 arrest would have been illegal, no warrant having been given?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERPerhaps the hon. Member will ask a legal gentleman that Question.