§ MR. TUITEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there is at present in the town of Mullingar a force of about forty constabulary occupying two separate barracks, and if this force, in proportion to the population of the town, 4787, together with the peacefulness of the locality, is far in excess of what is necessary for the maintenance of order; whether, in consideration of the absence of serious crime generally throughout the entire county of Westmeath, the extra constabulary force will now be withdrawn from the county, and the second barracks at Mullingar, which was established within the past five years, abolished; and, whether it is true that the said force at Mullingar is frequently employed by the county inspector and other constabulary officers at Mullingar at other duties than those connected with the constabulary service?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)The police force at Mullingar consists of 29 men, and it is not considered too large for the requirements of the place. They are temporarily located in two buildings for sanitary 1021 reasons; but it is in contemplation to build a new permanent barrack. The extra force of the county at present numbers 36. The question of reducing it is periodically considered, and 50 men have been struck off since August, 1884. It is not considered possible to make a further reduction now. I am assured that there are no grounds to suppose that the men in Mullingar are improperly employed.