HC Deb 22 February 1892 vol 1 cc906-7
MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to an inquest, held on the 15th inst., touching the death of Mary Helen Montagu, aged three years, daughter of Robert Acheson Cromie Montagu, J.P., Portstewart, Coleraine, Ireland, in which the Coroner's jury returned the following verdict:— That the deceased, Mary Helen Montagu, died from asphyxia. We further say that Annie Margaret Montagu did feloniously kill and slay the said Mary Helen Montagu by binding her body with a stocking, and fastening her when thus tied by a cord to a ring in a dark room at Cronmore House, townland of Ballylease, and parish of Agherton, on the 13th day of February, 1892; whether he is aware that Mrs. Montagu acknowledged on oath before the Coroner that she bound the arms and limbs of her child, and caused its death by hanging, as set out in the verdict; that Mrs. Montagu was returned for trial to the Assizes, and bail accepted for her appearance; and that she has since left the country to evade trial; what were the reasons why the police did not arrest Mrs. Montagu, and proceed by deposi- tions before a Magistrate; and whether he proposes to take any, and what, action to investigate the conduct of the police authorities in the matter?

* MR. JACKSON

The woman was arrested by the police, and dealt with by the Magistrates in Petty Sessions, and committed for trial.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

That is no answer to my question. Why did the police not arrest her till a week after the offence, and, also, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take any notice of the conduct of the police?

MR. JACKSON

There is no necessity for such action. No irregularity has taken place.