§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, on the 22nd instant, when a battery of Royal Artillery were quartered in Newcastle West, two police constables, named M'Garry and Dougal, obtained and wore military uniforms for the purpose of obtaining drink at prohibited hours; and whether it was 528 with the knowledge of the officers of the Royal Artillery that these uniforms were given to the police, or how did they get them?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordOn the day in question a battery of Artillery, practising at Glenbeigh, was billeted at Newcastle West, and the police station was used as a guard-room. Several constables are reported to have tried on the men's jackets; but none were seen to enter a public-house, and no report on the subject was made to the commanding officer.
§ MR. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Constables M'Garry and Dougal, who on the 22nd instant at Newcastle West put on military uniforms belonging to the Royal Artillery for the purpose of inducing certain licensed victuallers to supply them with intoxicating drinks at prohibited hours, were acting in accordance with the rules of the police service in so disguising themselves without the authority of their officers; and, if not, whether any and what punishment will be inflicted? I should also like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that M'Garry was twice fined for breach of the police rules?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.No, I cannot say that I am aware of anything of the kind. I do not know anything about it. The constables, in disguising themselves in the manner referred to by the hon. Member, were not acting according to the rules of the police service. The whole proceeding appears to have been undertaken solely on their own responsibility. The constables have been warned against a repetition of the proceedings.