HC Deb 27 July 1885 vol 300 cc47-8
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there is now in the parish of Gweedore (county Donegal) an extra force of police, who chiefly employ themselves in the affairs of private persons by watching the salmon rivers; whether, on the 13th instant, the acting-serjeant of Barrack No. 2 arrested a boy of about fifteen named Dominick Sweeney, on the bank of the Gweedore River, and, when his mother came and remonstrated against the arrest, lacerated her wrist with a spear or gaff, tearing off the flesh to the wristbone; whether the acting-serjeant took the boy to the barrack, and kept him in custody all day and night, directing his father, who went to the barrack, to have bailsmen ready next morning to go before Mr. Olpherto, a magistrate, who lives ten miles away; whether the acting-serjeant, by interfering as he did in the daytime, exceeded the powers of constables, as laid down by 7 and 8 Vic. c. 108, s. 1; whether the arrest and detention of the boy Dominick Sweeney are contrary to 5 and 6 Vic. c. 106, s. 87; and, what action will be taken with reference to the arrest and the assault, and to provide that constables shall not act in excess of their legal powers in the interest of the owners and lessees of rivers?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRLAND (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE)

Owing to the disturbed state of the locality it has been found necessary to send four extra constables to Gweedore. They do not chiefly employ themselves in watching the salmon fishery; but it is, I find, part of their duty to prevent illegal fishing. On the 13th instant they arrested Dominick Sweeny for using a gaff and refusing to give his name. Sweeny's mother and another woman "remonstrated" by endeavouring to rescue the prisoner, and by stoning the police. In the struggle Mrs. Sweeny received a slight wound from the gaff which the sergeant had seized. Sweeny was brought in due time before the nearest magistrate and bailed to appear at Petty Sessions, where he was fined £5. I am advised that the action of the police was in accordance with the law.