§ MR. MCCARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the charges made and sustained against Sergeant Downey, of Dromara, County Down, at a Constabulary Court of Inquiry, in February last, he has still been retained in charge of the Police Station at Dromara; whether, notwithstanding, that the charges which he made against Constables Corvin and Wallace were not proven, both constables have been removed from the Station; whether he is aware of the strong feeling of indignation which the punishment of the constables and the retention of Sergeant Downey has caused in the district; and whether he will in the interests of the peace and order of the district, suggest to the Inspector General the desirability of reconsidering the continuance of Sergeant Downey in charge of this Station?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) (who replied) Dublin UniversityFive charges were made against the sergeant in question, but only one was sustained. As regards the other four he was acquitted by the Court. The two constables were not punished, but in the interests of the 509 service they were transferred to another district. My right hon. Friend has no information as regards the statement in the third paragraph of the question, but he is making inquiries on the subject.