HC Deb 11 March 1892 vol 2 cc636-7
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number and names of the various stations in which Acting Sergeant Gurry, now at Clonmel, served; on what grounds was he moved from Bansha and Oola, and the other stations to which he was attached; will he state by whom a complaint was made to his superior officer while he was at Bansha, and what was the nature of it; has he any objection to give his general conduct record; is he aware that great dissatisfaction exists among the Force in consequence of the promotion of this constable over the heads of men who have served many years longer, and whose service and conduct records are good; and will he have the case investigated?

MR. MADDEN

The Government are of opinion that no public end would be gained by giving the information desired, nor is it in accordance with custom to do so. I am not aware that any such dissatisfaction as that suggested in the question exists. The constable proved an excellent policeman, and was promoted on the recommendation of the officer under whom he served.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Is it a fact that Mr. Rafferty, his superior officer, refused to recommend him for promotion until Colonel Caddell, on his leaving the place, requested him to do so?

MR. MADDEN

I have no information to that effect.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

I desire to ask the Home Secretary whether it is not a most unusual thing for a constable to be removed five or six times in the course of ten years without some good reason; whether he is aware of the fact that the books kept at the various stations have been full of black marks against this constable; and I desire, also, to ask whether the cause of his removal is not because he has been in the habit of following young girls about in the district?

MR. MADDEN

There is nothing in the information before me to lead me to suppose anything of the kind, nor to suggest that there was any deviation from the ordinary course in the proceedings on this occasion.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

On the Police Estimates I will give the hon. Gentleman more information on the subject.