HC Deb 12 March 1885 vol 295 cc875-6
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How long were the eleven men in county Kerry imprisoned whom the police arrested, because of the shooting of Murphy by one of the Force; and is it proposed to make them any compensation?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I find that in consequence of the reprehensible conduct of the policemen in this case, which I have already explained to the House, 11 men were detained in custody for three days and seven hours. The Government are of opinion that the case is one in which they may fairly consider whether some compensation should not be given.

MR. SEXTON

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what is the charge to be made against the constable?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am not acquainted with the details of the charge; but I have seen a telegram stating that he was brought up before the magistrate and discharged, it being found that the occurrence was an accident. The Coroner's verdict was, I believe, to the same effect; but of these matters I have only telegraphic information.

MR. HEALY

I shall ask to-morrow if it is true that the Coroner's inquest exonerated only one of the two constables; and whether the other constable will be prosecuted for having caused the imprisonment of 11 innocent persons by making a false statement, and inducing others to corroborate it?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

was understood to say that the verdict exonerated both constables, in that it found the occurrence to be an accident. With regard to the culpability of the policemen, he had already said that both had been dismissed from the Force, and that it was intended to prosecute them. Whether the prosecution would be confined to the one of them he could not say.

MR. HEALY

I beg to give Notice that if the Crimes Act comes to be renewed, I will propose a clause to make it penal to spread false reports of charges, especially by the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary.