HC Deb 03 July 1890 vol 346 cc660-3
MR. WEBB

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that at Dungarvan, on Friday, 20th June, the Mayor and ex-Mayor of Waterford, engaged on business of a private character, were followed by a policeman a considerable distance out of the town; and whether he will give directions that shadowing of this character be discontinued?

*THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin University

The Constabulary Authorities report that it is not the fact that the Mayor and ex-Mayor of Waterford were shadowed. They appear, however, to have been in the company of a man whose movements are watched by the police, as they have reason to believe that he is endeavouring to promote boycotting and intimidation.

MR. COX

I bog to ask the Attorney I 'General for Ireland whether Thomas Fox is being systematically shadowed by the police in County Clare; and, if so, for what purpose?

*MR. MADDEN

The Constabulary Authorities report that it is the case that the movements of the man mentioned are watched by the police in consequence of information in their possession.

MR. COX

Is it not the fact that this man was arrested for firing at Mr. Blood; that when he was brought before the Magistrates he was discharged, and that it is only since his discharge that he has been systematically shadowed?

*MR. MADDEN

My information does not enable me to say whether that is a fact or not.

MR. FLYNN) (Cork, N.

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of the trial of Mr. James O'Brien, of Killeagh, at Youghal, County Cork, on Friday last, on a charge under the Criminal Law and Procedure Act of "having obstructed Constable Quinn in the discharge of his duty"; whether he is aware that the Magistrates, Messrs. Hodder and Irwin, inflicted no punishment on the accused, and that the constable swore that the alleged act of obstruction was that the defendant "followed me about, and, in consequence I was unable to discharge my duty;" and, if, in view of the fact that the prisoner was handed over by Constable Quinn to another constable, and taken to Cork Goal for seven days, the Government will award some compensation to Mr. O'Brien for the imprisonment inflicted upon him without trial?

*MR. MADDEN

I am informed that the facts are not accurately represented in the question. The constable's evidence on oath was to the effect that O'Brien had followed him about, pointed him out, and called public attention to him, thereby preventing him from discharging the detective duty on which he was engaged. He was convicted on the charge, but the Magistrates, taking into account the fact that he had been in custody from the 16th to the 20th of June, ordered that he should be further detained in custody only until the rising of the Court.

MR. DILLON) (Mayo, E.

Are we now informed that it is not permissible for a man who is being shadowed to shadow his own shadow?

*MR. MADDEN

I have stated the facts of the case. The constable was on detective duty and was followed about, pointed out to the public, and prevented from discharging his duty.

MR. DILLON

Does the Attorney General for a moment mean to assert that it is a crime to point out a detective?

*MR. MADDEN

No, Sir; that is not a en me; but following a plain clothes officer about while he is engaged in detective duty, and pointing that officer out as being engaged in such duty, may, in my opinion, amount to an obstruction of the officer in the execution of his duty.

MR. DILLON

Does the right hon. Gentleman lay down that it is a crime to point out a policeman in plain clothes? How is it to be known that a man is a policeman if he is not in uniform?

*MR. MADDEN

I have already said that it is not a crime to point out a policeman dressed in plain clothes; but it is an interference with him in the discharge of his duty to follow him about and point him out to the public.

MR. DILLON

Is the pointing out of a policeman in plain clothes and the following him about sufficient to justify a man being arrested, carried off to gaol, and kept there for several days?

*MR. MADDEN

I certainly do mean to assert and to lay down that obstruction of a policeman in the discharge of his duty may be of a character to constitute an offence.

MR. W. REDMOND) (Fermanagh, N.

May I ask the Home Secretary whether I should be guilty of a crime if I were to go out into Parliament Street and point out and follow one of his plain clothes policemen?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.

The hon. Member has asked me a highly hypothetical question, which it is impossible to answer.

MR. FLYNN

Under what provision of the law was this man arrested by a second constable and bail refused?

*MR. MADDEN

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper, and I must ask for notice.

MR. WADDT (Lincolnshire, Brigg)

Is it not the fact that the man who was arrested was himself being followed by the detective whom he pointed out?

*MR. MADDEN

I have given the House all the information in my possession.