HC Deb 17 July 1884 vol 290 cc1416-7
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, On what date ex-Detective Director French became sufficiently sane to justify his arrest; did the Government obtain a certificate of his condition before arresting him; and, have Doctors Eames, Curtis, and Gordon, who in April last made the following Report as to French, been since consulted as to his condition:— We are of opinion that he is suffering from mental disease, softening of the brain, and great nervous debility, with impaired bodily health; and, with this infirmity of mind and body, he is incapable of discharging the duties of his situation, and such infirmity is likely to be permanent; if not, has anything arisen to shake the confidence of the Government in their Reports?

MR. TREVELYAN

I am advised that Mr. French's arrest did not depend on any question of sanity, and that no fresh certificate was necessary or was obtained. The certificate given in April last was given solely in connection with the question whether or not Mr. French was fit for further service in the Constabulary Force; and it had no reference to any question whether or not proceedings should be taken against him.

MR. HEALY

As one of the main documents was this certificate, upon which a Court of Law acted, and upon which the authorities acted, which was signed by three doctors, one of them a Government doctor, whose name I will not mention, and they have made a Report that this man whom the Government have now indicted was— Suffering from mental disease, softening of the brain, and great nervous debility, with impaired bodily health; and with this infirmity of mind and body he is incapable of discharging the duties of his situation, and such infirmity is likely to be permanent, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, after the slur thrown upon this doctor by the impugning of his Report, he is to be retained in the service of the Crown?

MR. TREVELYAN

I did not impugn the Report of the doctor. I said the medical certificate was the document upon which it was decided Mr. French was unfit for further service.

MR. JUSTIN HUNTLY M'CARTHY

Is alleged insanity any debarment to arrest?

MR. TREVELYAN

No bar whatever.

MR. HARRINGTON

Did not the right hon. Gentleman make it a bar to arresting Mr. French sooner?

MR. TREVELYAN

That may have been the case. I have had 70, 80, 90, or 100 Questions, counting extempore ones, addressed to me on this subject; and many of these should only be addressed to a person who holds a legal position. I only do my best to answer hon. Gentlemen; and perhaps I ought to be more cautious sometimes about answering some of the Questions addressed to me.