HC Deb 27 April 1888 vol 325 cc745-6
DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a young man named Creedon was arrested in the town of Macroom, on Sunday, the 8th instant, charged with an assault upon Sergeant O'Shea; whether he was remanded until the 9th instant on the medical certificate of Dr. Crooke, of Macroom, who stated O'Shea's life was in danger; whether Dr. White, of Macroom, a Protestant and Conservative, was prevented visiting Sergeant O'Shea with Dr. Crooke for the purpose of finding out whether the injuries stated to have been inflicted placed O'Shea's life in jeopardy; whether O'Shea was pronounced out of danger by Dr. Crooke on Wednesday evening, the 11th instant; whether Mr. Gardiner, Stipendiary Magistrate, visited the Cork Gaol at an early hour on Thursday and fur ther remanded Creedon on the charge of assaulting a constable dressed in plain clothes, on the occasion in question, named Keaveny; whether a prior information had been sworn by Creedon's father against Keaveny for having brutally assaulted his son, the prisoner, while held by several policemen; and, whether Mr. Gardiner presided on the trial of the case in Macroom on the 18th instant?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The Inspector General of Constabulary reports that Creedon was arrested for a savage assault on a sergeant. He was remanded on the 9th for eight days, the sergeant's life being certified to be in danger. Dr. Crooke, under whose care the patient was, objected on professional grounds to a second doctor being brought in. The sergeant was pronounced out of danger on the morning of the 12th. Creedon was remanded on the 13th, as alleged. No prior information was made by Creedon's father, as stated in the last paragraph but one; but he issued a summons against Keaveny. This charge was dismissed. Creedon was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment for the assault on Constable Keaveny. Mr. Gardiner did preside.

DR. TANNER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether Dr. Crooke refused to allow Dr. White, a Protestant and anti-Home Ruler, to see this policeman, because he was afraid he would certify that the policeman's life was not in danger; also, what were the technical character of the injuries of this policeman, O'Shea?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As I said before, Dr. Crooke refused to allow the second medical gentleman to be present on professional grounds. As to the nature of the injuries received by the sergeant, the hon. Member must give me Notice of the Question.

DR. TANNER

What were the professional grounds?

[No reply.]