§ MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of two constables of the Irish Constabulary who were convicted before County Court Judge Henn, at Gort, on the 13th inst., on a charge of the false arrest and imprisonment of two men, named John Morressy and Martin Fahy, at Portumna, and ordered to pay damages and costs, including the fees of counsel; whether it was by the instructions of the Crown that Mr. Blake, the Crown Prosecutor, defended the police; is it the intention of the Crown to pay the cost of the trial, and also the damages awarded against the police; and whether any action will be taken by the Police Authorities against the constables for their conduct in this matter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe reply to the inquiry in the first paragraph is in the affirmative; to that in the second paragraph in the negative. Pending the result of an appeal, I am not in a position to make a further statement.
§ DR. TANNERAm I to understand that the legal expenses will only be paid in the event of the men being convicted?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman must not understand anything of the kind.