§ MR. W. ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Constables Banahan and O'Sullivan were charged by Sergeant O'Brien, at Petty Sessions held in Glin, county Limerick, on the 24th of June, with being in a licensed public-house during prohibited hours; whether, after hearing evidence, the magistrates (four in number) were unanimous in dismissing the case, expressing their opinion that Sergeant O'Brien had made a "great mistake," and that the constables left the Court without the slightest imputation resting on them; whether these men were transferred to obscure country stations on the 18th of August; whether the police station in Glin is under the charge of Sergeant O'Brien, and was inspected in May by District Inspector Harrison and reported all right, although at the time of the said inspection Sergeant O'Brien was violating certain police regulations, which, being subsequently reported to County Inspector Cameron, the sergeant has been compelled to discontinue; and, whether Sergeant O'Brien will be permitted to remain in charge of the police station in Glin?
§ THE ATTOENEY GENEEAL FOR IEELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)(who replied) said: The constables Banahan and O'Sullivan were charged in the manner stated in the Question of the hon. Member, and the charge was dismissed, one of the magistrates expressing the opinion that the constables left the Court without the slightest stain on their character. They have since been transferred in the course of the Public Service, at the public expense, to fill vacancies in other stations, which are considered to be good average stations. There was a violation of certain police regulations on the part of Sergeant O'Brien at the time of the inspection of his station by District In- 586 spector Harrison, who did not then become acquainted with them; but on their being since reported, Sergeant O'Brien has, in consequence thereof, been put under orders of removal from the station at his own expense, and has been permanently deprived of a valuable privilege which he had previously enjoyed.