HC Deb 06 May 1884 vol 287 cc1478-9
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Captain Beckett, resident magistrate at Athlone, is a member of the military mess, and spends the greater part of his time at the military barracks, where persons having business with him, in his magisterial capacity, are continually obliged to wait upon him; whether, recently, after midnight, a party composed of Captain Beckett and three military officers sought admission into the house of a lady in Athlone, and, being refused admission, one of the party threw an empty champagne bottle through the fanlight over the hall door, and another threw a large paving stone through one of the drawing-room windows, inflicting damage also in the interior, and, when the servants appeared, the party ran away, one of the fugitives leaving an officer's laced cap behind him; if some members of the local police force witnessed part of the occurrence, and whether any police report has been made; and, what steps will be taken to elicit the truth, and to vindicate the Law?

MR. TREVELYAN

Through the kindness of the officers of the Royal Artillery at Athlone, Captain Beckett, R.M., is an honorary member of their mess. It is not the case that he spends the greater part of his time at the barracks, or that persons having business with him are continually obliged to wait upon him there. The statement that Captain Beckett was in any way concerned in the disturbance referred to in he second paragraph of the Question is wholly without foundation. He did not even hear of it until some days later. It is not the case that any of the local police were present. When they heard of the matter it was reported; but, as the owner of the injured property refused to take any action, the divisional magistrate thought it a case rather for the military authorities to deal with than one for further police interference. He accordingly reported it to the Colonel commanding the 45th Regiment, to which the officers concerned belonged, and it is now before him.

MR. SEXTON

I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that stops were taken to induce the parties concerned from making any statement, and that money was offered to the servants to procure their silence?

MR. TREVELYAN

I cannot say anything about that.