§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, in the case of Constable Courtney, who was recently awarded by the Grand Jury of County Cork £1,000 compensation for injuries inflicted on him by Militiamen, whether the cesspayers of the County of Cork were responsible at law for damage committed in an assault by members of Her Majesty's Forces; and whether the assault in question was committed by Militiamen belonging to another county?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN, Dublin University)The Grand Jury of the County Cork, in making an award of compensation to Constable Courtney for injuries inflicted on him by Militiamen, were acting under their statutable powers. If any section of the ratepayers felt aggrieved it was open to them to traverse the presentment before the Assize Judge. I understand that, as a matter of fact, the Militiamen did belong to another county.
§ MR. FLYNNWas there not a representation made by the Irish Office to the Secretary for War suggesting the desirability of the War Office paying a portion of the money?
§ MR. MADDENI can hardly answer that question.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Attorney General whether the cesspayers of a county in England could be obliged by law, by order of the County Grand Jury, to pay compensation to a constable or peace officer who had been maimed or received injuries while in prosecution of his duty from Militiamen members of Her Majesty's Forces, and belonging to another county?
SIR R. WEBSTERThe powers of a County Grand Jury in England are limited to the making of presentments for offences and the inquiring into bills of indictment submitted to them, and do not extend to the making of a rate, as suggested in the hon. Member's question, for compensation to injured constables.