HC Deb 09 March 1893 vol 9 cc1431-2
MR. THOMAS HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it is the case that at the coming Wexford Assizes a Presentment for the sum of £391 for extra police for the half-year ending 30th September, 1892, is to be applied for; whether the ordinary number of police have been found insufficient to deal with the exceptionally small amount of crime in Wexford County; who is responsible for bringing the extra police into the county, and for what purpose were they required; and whether the Magistrates of the county were in any way consulted on the matter?

MR. J. MORLEY

The Inspector General informs me that the statement in the first paragraph is according to the fact. The ordinary free quota of police was not sufficient to perform all the police duty of the county, and in August, 1889, the Magistrates of the county, at a meeting duly convened for the purpose, certified that the free quota was not sufficient, and that a further force of 25 men was necessary in order to ensure the peace of the county, for which purpose these men were appointed, and they still remain in the county.

MR. THOMAS HEALY

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman is he aware that the criminal business, both at the Spring and Summer Assizes, is generally over in about half an hour?

MR. J. MORLEY

I cannot say.