§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether three convictions have been recorded within the last month at Achill Petty Sessions against policemen, one being a wanton assault committed by Sub-constable Conalty on a boatman named John Patten for refusing to bring him illicit whiskey (poteen); and, whether information has reached him that many of the Coastguards in the Island of Achill are in the habit of procuring illicit whiskey, through Neil Gallagher Dagort and others, and encouraging into the Island the importation of illicit whiskey, to the detriment and demoralization of the inhabitants; and, if so, will the Government grant an inquiry into the matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I am informed that three convictions for assault were recorded against a policeman named Conalty at Achill Petty Sessions. In one case the person assaulted was a man named John Patten, who had been arrested for drunkenness. There was nothing during the hearing of the case to show that the assault was caused by Patten's refusing to bring the constable illicit spirits. The constable has been removed from Achill. It is not a fact, so far as is known, that the Coastguard procure the importation of whiskey into the Island.