§ MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state by whose directions two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary follow the movements of Martin Fahy, of Sheenrush, Portumna, and John Morrissy, of Portumna, and pay nightly visits to their houses, where they re main for over a quarter of an hour, each time endeavouring to engage the inmates of the house in conversation, and on being questioned as to their business refuse to answer; on what charge were these two men arrested on the evening of the 9th of May last by two constables, who were under the influence of drink, and put in the lock-up until 3 o'clock next day, when they were brought before Mr. Tener, J.P., and, no charge being made against them, were ordered to be discharged, as there was neither a warrant or information against them; whether he will have an inquiry made into the conduct of the constables; and if any reparation will be made to Mr. Fahy and Mr. Morrissy for the injury done them?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that the men had been under supervision, there being reason to believe that they are engaged in illegal practices. In regard to the second paragraph of the question, I understand that an action has been brought against the police, and, there fore, it would not be proper that I should make any statement pending a judicial inquiry.
§ MR. DILLON) (Mayo, E.Is it open to the police to enter mens' houses when they are not asked to do so, because they are suspected of an inclination or intention to commit some offence?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not pretend to answer a legal question, but I do not gather from the question on the Paper that the police did that. There is no allegation that the police forced their way into any houses.
§ MR. SEXTONIs this practice followed of keeping men practically in custody all night in order to relieve the authorities from the duty of making inquiry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe authorities are not relieved from the duty of making inquiry. I believe that in regard to one of these men, John Morrissy, he was convicted of conspiracy in May, last year.
§ MR. SEXTONFor the protection of the public, will the right hon. Gentle man order that where the police are engaged in dogging the footsteps of particular individuals, a record shall be kept of the nature of the suspicions entertained against them, so that, if necessary, they may be referred to afterwards?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think that in all such cases it would be desirable to keep a public record.
§ MR. ROCHEIs it the fact that Morrissy was summoned for intimidating a man named James Mitchel, and that when Mitchel was produced by the Crown at the trial, he swore that he did not see Morrissy on the day of the alleged intimidation and did not know him at all, and consequently he could not have interfered with the man in any shape or form?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know that that is the fact; but if it is, it would be an important circumstance to bring forward in the action to which I have referred.
§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)Is it the intention of the Government to pay the costs of defending the action?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know that there will be an action.