§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Under what circumstances Head Constable O'Halloran, of the Irish Constabulary, stationed at Ennis, lately gave a £10 bank note to a man named Patrick Loughrey, of Knoc-reddan, Crusheen, County Clare; whether Loughrey subsequently assaulted Mr. O'Halloran in a public house at Ennis, by striking him on the face with a tumbler, but no action has since been taken in the matter; whether Mr. O'Halloran was concerned in collecting evidence in the case against the brothers Delahunty, on whose behalf, since their conviction, a Memorial declaring belief in their innocence has been presented to the Irish Executive; and, whether the Government will direct a public 474 inquiry to be held into the conduct of the Head Constable? I may add, Sir, that the point of my Question has been completely cut out by some official hand?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The Head Constable was led to believe that Loughrey was able and willing to give him information with regard to a matter into which it was his duty to inquire, and paid for it. The assault was a trifling affair, the Head Constable not having been touched. He was engaged in the ordinary course of his duty in the prosecution of the Delahuntys some years ago. I think he was wrong in this particular case; but he is spoken of very highly by all those under whom he has served, including Sir Redvers Buller, and I do not propose to direct a public inquiry into his conduct.
§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he proposes to sanction an attempt by the police to manufacture informers by making use of the names of hon. Members of this House?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI do not know to what the hon. Member refers.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI have already said I think the Head Constable did wrong.
§ MR. SEXTONHe was guilty of forgery.