MR. JOHN ELLISasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- 1633 land, whether a number of "passes" have been issued, in the following form, by a Sergeant of Constabulary in the Gweedore district: "Please let bearer—pass. Owen Mahoney, Sergeant R. I. C. Date—," in default of possession of one of which the people of the district are unable to pass along the roads or through the country at their pleasure; and, by whose authority this Police Sergeant is thus acting?
§ * MR. MADDENThe Constabulary Authorities report that when the search for Mr. Martin's murderers was progressing Sergeant Mahoney gave passes as described to a few persons against whom he knew there was no suspicion, so that the inconvenience of stopping and examining them might be saved. It is, however, not the case that without these passes persons are unable to pass along the roads, or through the country, at their pleasure. The Sergeant acted on his own responsibility in giving the passes.
§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)Arising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if he is aware that on the following day police constables were placed in a position to overhear what was going on between the accused persons?
§ * MR. MADDENThe hon. Member will observe that that is not a question arising out of my answer.
§ MR. WOODALLI ventured to ask the question, because the Government have invited attention to the matter. I hope they will supply the information.
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)Did Mr. Hamilton, the resident magistrate, express his disapproval of this method of Government identification?
§ * MR. MADDENI have no information on that point.