HC Deb 26 March 1886 vol 304 cc14-5
MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a man, named Mortimer Doyle, was arrested in Dalkey, county of Dublin, on the 23rd of November last, as he was leaving a Nationalist election meeting, for having, on the morning of the same day, in assertion of title, thrown down a wall the height of which the Board of Works had, against his previous protest, raised; whether Doyle was detained in the company of common criminals in the police cells till the following day, although solvent bail was offered on his behalf; whether on the trial of the case Doyle was discharged, the magistrate observing that he had done nothing but what he was justified in doing; whether the same magistrate, at the first hearing of the case, at once declared his opinion that it was a case for a civil action rather than for a criminal prosecution; whether he will state the name of the official responsible for the arrest; and, whether the Government will compensate Doyle for the wrong to which he has been subjected?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLET) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

, in reply, said that it was a fact that Mortimer Doyle was arrested in Dalkey on the 23rd of November last for having thrown down a portion of a wall between his premises and the police station. The police had been previously informed that the wall was regarded as the property of the Chief Commissioner, and they made the arrest on their own responsibility. Doyle was not placed in the cell, but allowed to remain at the fire in the reserve room. No offer was made to bail him. He was discharged by the magistrate, who considered that, so far as pulling down the wall was concerned, Doyle acted under a fair and reasonable supposition that he had a right to do what he did. He added, however, that if Doyle suffered anything in consequence he had only himself to blame, as he had used threats, and the case was not considered one in which compensation should be given.

MR. CLANCY

The right hon. Gentleman has not stated the name of the official responsible for the arrest.

MR. JOHN MORLEY

Unfortunately I do not know the name.

MR. CLANCY

Will you inquire.

MR. JOHN MORLEY

I will.