§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether complaints have reached him that on Saturday, the 17th of May, the police of Tipperary attempted twice to drive off the streets the Street Inspector of Tipperary while engaged in the performance of his duty, taking down his name and threatening to summon him; that, on the 7th instant, he was also threatened with removal by the police; that on several occasions, including the 12th May, Constable Guinane and other constables impounded horses and cars, whilst their owners were in shops making purchases; and that, on the 2nd instant, the Street Inspector, accompanied by the Sub-Sanitary Officer of the. Poor Law Board, visited a house in St. Michael Street, occupied by emergency men, who had strewn over 45 the floor of one robin in the front of the house a layer of bones several inches thick which emitted a bad odour; and whether the Chief Secretary will instruct the police to allow the Street Inspector to do his duty unmolested by the police, and will take steps to have the nuisance complained of removed' "by the police while they are in charge of the emergency men?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that about the 17th of May the police ordered two night watchmen, who were on the street at 5 p.m., obstructing the footway, to move on. That on 19th inst., a day watchman, who styles himself town sergeant, was on the footway with a number of other men causing an obstruction. They were told to move on by the police, which they all did except the man referred to. His name was taken. On 12th May Constable Guinane did impound a restive horse, which he found on the street without any one in charge. No other horse or car impounded on that date. Emergency men did not strew bones over the floor of a room, but a quantity of perfectly dry bones are under the flooring, which has lately been ripped up, where they have apparently lain for years. No odour whatever arises from them.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)Have the police power to order this man to move on when he was performing his duty?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am told he was not engaged in his duties.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYAre the police to be the judges as to whether he is doing his duty?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURTheir action must depend entirely on whether he is obstructing the streets or not.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWhy should the police have authority over an official appointed under the Towns Act? Can they have such authority?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. and learned Member will put his question down, I will inquire.