§ MR. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is the fact that Mr. Robert Henry, and his son, Mr. Cecil R. Henry, of Tougher, near Tuam, county of Galway, are now, and have been for years past, constantly attended by a body of police maintained at the expense of the ratepayers of the district; if it is true that the district is perfectly peaceful, and that no serious outrage has been committed within a radius of seven miles for years past; whether the constables in question spend their time in playing cricket and otherwise amusing themselves; and, why this special force has been so long maintained, and whether it will now be discontinued?
§ MR. TREVELYANThis protection post was established about four years ago, and has since been maintained from necessity. The local police authorities do not think that it could as yet be safely dispensed with. At present it consists of two men, and it is not the fact that a police tax is levied on the ratepayers of the district for their maintenance. The district is peaceful, the presence of the police having, no doubt, tended to secure that result. It is not the fact that the constables spend their time playing cricket, and otherwise 1180 amusing themselves; but they have accompanied Mr. C. R. Henry to cricket matches, and one of them has occasionally played while there.
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, the force was not to be discontinued.