§ MR. JOHN J. CLANCY (for Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND,) Fermanagh, N.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that at a Petty Sessions Court held in Derrygonnelly, county Fermanagh, Ireland, on Friday, 26th February, before Messrs. G. A. Maloney, R.M., John Kerr, J.P., and James Gordon, J.P., a man named Patrick M'Brien was fined five shillings and costs for drunkenness, on the complaint of Head Constable Jack, supported by District Inspector Tappin; is he aware that the defendant, two sergeants, and two constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary with two civilian witnesses all swore that M'Brien was not drunk when arrested, and that other members of the Royal Irish Constabulary with several civilian witnesses were prepared to swear that M'Brien was sober when Head Constable Jack arrested him on the charge of drunkenness, but that the Magistrates investigating the case refused to hear what these witnesses had to prove; and, under all the circumstances, will the Lord Lieutenant order a sworn inquiry to be held touching all the facts connected with this case?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.I understand that in the case referred to in the question of the hon. Member such testimony was given on behalf of the accused. The Magistrates, however, appear to have been satisfied that the charge was proved, and inflicted a fine of five shillings and costs. The Lord Lieutenant approves of the decision of the Magistrates.