HC Deb 05 June 1890 vol 345 cc60-1
MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCK (Whitehaven)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a statement reported to have been made by the right hon. Member for Mid Lothian at Hawarden on the 28th ultimo, in the following words:— At Mitchelstown I am sorry to say that one policeman was badly damaged. You cannot wonder at its happening. He was badly damaged, and I believe his life was in some danger; but he recovered, and £1,000 was, I think, the sum levied off the district to compensate him for injuries he suffered in doing an illegal act; whether this statement is correct in fact whether the policeman referred to was Constable Leahy; and whether he has recovered from his injuries and has returned to his duty, or what is the state of his health at the present time?

DR. TANNER (Cork Co. Mid)

Before the question is answered, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has put it at the instance of the Solicitor General for Ireland—a person named Carson?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

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

My attention has been called to the statement mentioned, which has been reported to have been made by the right hon. Member for Mid Lothian. The case referred to is evidently that of Constable Leahy. It is the fact that this constable was savagely attacked and seriously and permanently injured. It is not the case that he was doing an illegal act. He was merely acting in the proper discharge of his duty. The Grand Jury, from the evidence before them, found this to have been the case, and awarded him the compensation mentioned in respect of the serious injuries received. He has never recovered from those injuries. They disabled him from further service in the Royal Irish Constabulary, from which he had accordingly to be discharged on pension. He is at the present time a complete cripple, suffering constantly severe pain from his injuries, unable to move about without crutches, and totally disabled from following any occupation.

DR. TANNER

Is it not the case that the Resident Magistrate who has been connected with Mitchelstown, Mr. O'Neil Segrave, has been dismissed?

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Coroner's Jury bi ought in a verdict of wilful murder against the constabulary?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I believe there was an absurd verdict returned by a Coroner's Jury, but I am not aware that it had anything to do with the injuries to Constable Leahy.