§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Dunfanaghy Board of Guardians have refused to re-appoint the Rev. James M'Fadden, parish priest of Gweedore, as warden; what cause is assigned for the adoption of this course; whether the Catholic curate has refused to accept the office of warden, in consequence of the treatment of the parish priest by the guardians; whether, owing to the absence of Dr. Finlay on sick leave, there is at present no resident medical officer in the district of Gweedore, the substitute, Dr. Joyce, being resident twelve miles from Bunbeg, the centre of the district; whether a ticket issued by Father M'Fadden on the 15th of March for attendance at the home of Patrick Rodgers of Tory Island has not been acted upon, and no explanation has been given, although a car and boat had to be provided for the conveyance of the doctor; whether the relieving officer having ceased to visit the parish of Gweedore, the poor of that district continue to apply for relief in food and medicine to Father M'Fadden, who is now unable to deal with their applications; whether Dr. Joyce refused, on the 15th ultimo, to attend a critical case of pneumonia; and, what steps the Local Government Board will take to deal with the state of facts disclosed?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANDifferences having arisen between the Dunfanaghy Board of Guardians and the Rev. Mr. M'Fadden, the Board resolved not to re-appoint him as a warden. 1188 They accordingly offered the post to his curate; but as he declined it they have appointed one of the rev. gentleman's parishioners. The matter is not one in which the Local Government Board have any authority to interfere. The Dispensary Committee appointed Dr. Joyce, medical officer of the adjoining district, to discharge Dr. Finlay's duty during his temporary absence. Dr. Joyce was unable to proceed to Tory Island on the day in question owing to the tempestuous weather, the island being 15 miles from the mainland. He took steps, however, to ascertain how the case was proceeding, and it terminated favourably without the necessity for surgical attendance. The relieving officer has not ceased to visit Gweedore, and he reports that he does not believe there is any want of food in the parish, and that he hears nothing of destitution whatever. Dr. Joyce did not refuse to attend the critical case referred to, which was one of typhus-fever, not pneumonia. He has been in frequent attendance on it; but I regret to say it has terminated fatally. The Local Government Board have urged on the Dispensary Committee the desirableness of appointing a medical officer resident in the district, and will send their Medical Inspector there at once to report on the subject. They point out, however, that there is considerable difficulty in obtaining the temporary services of a qualified professional man in such a remote district.
§ MR. SEXTONHave the Local Government Board made any representation to the Board of Guardians as to the impropriety of their action in removing the parish priest from his position as warden in a remote district where the people specially required his assistance?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir. This parish priest and the Board have been in a state of warfare, and the Local Government Board could not interfere.