§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on Sunday, the 22nd instant, when a battery of Royal Artillery were quartered in Newcastle West on the publicans, two police constables named M'Garry and Dougal attired themselves in soldiers' uniforms, and thus disguised visited some of the publicans; is he aware that these men visited several houses, and on knocking at one were asked by the publican's wife, "Who is there?" and on their answering, "Soldiers," she said, "You must go away; I will give you no drink"; if he can say whether District Inspector Wright or Head Constable Butler authorised the constables to assume this disguise; if not, then by whose authority was it done; and were any officers of the battery aware that uniforms of Her Majesty's 193 Royal Artillery were being used for such a purpose?
§ MR. JACKSONThe Constabulary Authorities report that the constables referred to explain that they visited one public-house disguised as stated, but did not enter it. The constables did not go with the authority or knowledge of their officers or of the military officers, but upon their own responsibility.
§ MR. ABRAHAMI should like to ask if steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of this conduct, and whether the constables were reprimanded?
§ MR. JACKSONI think it rather proceeded from over-zeal, and that the authorities do consider that they should take some steps to prevent the repetition of such conduct.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)Do the officers think they were right in assuming this disguise without the knowledge of their superior officer?
§ MR. JACKSONI am not in a position to answer that question, as I am not aware of the regulations dealing with the matter.