HC Deb 26 August 1889 vol 340 cc470-1
MR. COX (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why Michael Moroney, who was arrested within a quarter of a mile of his own house on his way home from Crusheen, but a half-mile distant, on Sunday night, 18th instant, was detained in the police cells, Cusheen, till 5 o'clock next morning, and then taken on foot into Ennis, eight miles distant, where he was detained in the police barracks until 11 o'clock, and then discharged without being brought before a Magistrate, or any charge whatever being preferred against him; and what was the reason of this conduct on the part of the police?

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

The Constabulary Authorities report that Moroney was not arrested on the night of the 20th, but on the night of the 18th inst. He is a noted suspect of the district, and was arrested on suspicion of having taken part in an attack made early that morning on the houses of four farmers, which were fired into, and also four stacks of hay burnt. He was only detained at the barracks until he could be brought before a Magistrate. The nearest available Magistrate was Mr. Hodder, R.M., Ennis. The case was reported to him, and he ordered the man's discharge.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

This man was arrested at 11 o'clock in the evening and kept in custody until 11 o'clock the next morning. If the police suspected him of having committed any offence, had they any evidence to warrant their suspicions?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware. I have given all the information I have.

MR. LEAMY (Sligo, S.)

I understand from the reply of the right hon. Gentleman that the police reported the arrest of this man to the Magistrate, and that the Magistrate at once ordered his discharge. Why was he not taken before the Magistrates?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is possible that when the police reported the arrest the Magistrate ordered the man to be discharged without having him brought before him. I did not gather that to be the fact, but it is possible.