§ MR. SEXTON(on behalf of 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 at Bangor Sessions, 20th February, that he procured 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 he is aware that the District Inspector in charge of the case said that the sergeant had acted by his (the Inspector's) directions, and that he (the Inspector) took all the responsibility; and, if so, what steps do the Constabulary Authorities intend to take with regard to the Inspector's action?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.The Constabulary Authorities report that, as already stated, the sergeant acted on his own responsibility in asking the woman to write what is called a "love letter." The statement of the District Inspector referred to had regard to his direction that a specimen of the woman's handwriting should be obtained.
§ MR. SEXTONThe right hon. Gentleman says the statement of the District Inspector had regard to a direction to obtain a specimen of handwriting; but did the Inspector say that legal means should be used to procure the writing? The whole case is this: that the sergeant obtained it by giving no warning of the intention to proceed against the woman.
§ MR. JACKSONI think, certainly, that the view of the hon. Member is the right one, that when the District 1185 Inspector gave directions to obtain a specimen of her handwriting, it should not have been obtained on such terms. I may say at once it should not have been so obtained, and there is, in fact, a rule against it. I think no person ought to be called on to do an action that might incriminate that person.
§ MR. SEXTONAs this woman has suffered considerably, and was prematurely confined in consequence of the charge made against her, and as her husband has been put to considerable cost in defending her, and the Attorney General has directed there shall be no prosecution, what is to be done in the way of compensation and to satisfy this sergeant and others in the force that such conduct must not be repeated?
§ MR. JACKSONI take it that the object of the hon. Member is to provide against a recurrence of what certainly ought not to have taken place in this case.
§ MR. SEXTONPunish the man.
§ MR. JACKSONI do not think it is necessary to do more than has already been done in the matter. I do not think that it sets up any claim on behalf of the woman or her husband.
§ MR. SEXTONThis is one of the typical cases of administration in Ireland we shall have to bring to the attention of the House on the Vote on Account.