HC Deb 16 June 1891 vol 354 cc537-8
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if Constable Moore, of Monaghan, against whom a number of grave charges were recently made by William Thompson and his wife, with reference to which a disciplinary investigation took place in the month of January last, is about to be appointed to the position of a head constable in the force; was this inquiry held on oath; was it one at which their attendance could be compelled, and at which the officer conducting it questioned any witnesses volunteering evidence, and the parties' solicitors were not permitted to interfere; and is he aware that the complainants embodied their complaint against the constable in a statutory declaration sent to the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, challenging him to have them prosecuted for perjury; and, if so, will any steps be taken thereon?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin University

The Constabulary Authorities report that the inquiry referred to was not on oath, but a preliminary one. Witnesses were not compelled to attend; but those who had complaints to make were given every facility to bring them forward. The officers in their Report fully exonerated the sergeant, and saw no grounds suggesting a necessity for a sworn inquiry. A declaration was subsequently received by the Inspector General from the solicitor. The Inspector General does not see any ground to take any action in the matter. He has informed the solicitor that his proper course would be to proceed against the sergeant in a Court of Law.