HC Deb 14 March 1892 vol 2 cc743-4
MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in reference to the case of Sergeant Boyd, Royal Irish Constabulary, who admitted in cross-examination at Bangor Petty Sessions, on 20th February, that he got a specimen of the handwriting of an accused woman by getting her to write a "love letter" to one of the policemen in the barrack, whether the Constabulary Authorities have yet investigated the matter, and with what result?

MR. JACKSON

The Constabulary Authorities report that there was no wilful intention on the part of the sergeant to disregard the rule in acting in the manner referred to. The Inspector General has had the sergeant's attention specially directed to the rule for his future guidance.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to ask him whether the District Inspector in charge of the case admitted in Court that he directed the sergeant to endeavour to entrap the woman into affording evidence of her own criminality by telling her a lie, by making a false statement; whether any notice will be taken of the conduct of the District Inspector, for whom the sergeant is being made a scapegoat. I have also to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, as he has directed there shall be no prosecution, and as the woman has suffered illness and expense, will he take steps to have her costs paid?

MR. JACKSON

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of his question. There is no reference in the question to the conduct of the District Inspector.

MR. SEXTON

And will the Attorney General give me a reply?

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

I have had the Papers before me, but I cannot answer without notice, except to say that I see no occasion for taking the unusual course suggested.

MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)

Did the right hon. Gentleman apply for information to the officer in question—the District Inspector—and did he not give the whole facts?

MR. JACKSON

The hon. Member will understand that I obtained information from the source whence I should be most likely to obtain it at the earliest moment. There was no reference in the notice of the question to the conduct of the officer since mentioned. If further information is desired all that is necessary is to give notice of a further question.

MR. SEXTON

I will draw attention to the facts of this extraordinary case when the Government asks for a Vote on Account.