§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, as the result of the proceedings of a constabulary investigation lately held at Farranfore, county Kerry, the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary has found two members of that force, Constables Donovan and Kennedy, guilty of having, on the night of the 19th September last, attacked a number of houses, amongst others that of the parish priest, and to the terror of the locality fired several volleys of shots; also a third constable, named Moroney, guilty of having supplied the other two with ammunition which did not bear the regulation mark; whether the sentence upon Moroney is a fine of ten shillings, and the sentence upon Donovan and Kennedy a fine of two pounds each, and removal to other districts; whether the crime of which the Inspector General declares Constables Donovan and Kennedy guilty is one punishable by penal servitude; what authority, if any, the Inspector General has to withhold the trial of a criminal charge against constables from the regular criminal tribunals of the Country; what steps the Irish Executive intend to take in the case; and, whether copies of the evidence taken by the investigating officers, their report to the Inspector General, and his Judgment, will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe constables were charged with a very grave and serious breach of discipline—namely, firing off three shots, and shouting, while on patrol duty. There is no foundation whatever for the report that they attacked houses. The sentences upon them, and upon the third constable, who tried to screen them by furnishing them with some ammunition to supply the deficiency improperly caused, were as stated in the Question, the removal being at the men's own expense. In dealing thus leniently with the case, the Inspector General was influenced by 1568 the consideration that they were men of previous good character. The constables were not charged with any criminal offence, still less of any offence punishable by penal servitude. The Executive do not intend to take any steps in the case. I cannot undertake to lay the Papers on the Table.
§ MR. SEXTONasked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that in this district an extra police tax was now being levied for the maintenance of these constables, although no outrage had been committed, except the outrage for which the Inspector General had punished these policemen?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, the question of maintaining extra constables did not arise out of the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. SEXTONgave Notice that he would ask a further Question.