§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on the 13th of May and on the 2nd July 1894, Sergeant Thomas Gillick, of Crusheen Police Station, stopped and searched Michael Tierney on the public roads, near his own house, near Crusheen; and whether the police have any authority to stop and search people in this way; and, if not, whether the practice will be put an end to?
MR. J. MORLEYIt is a fact that on the night of the 13th of May last Michael Tierney was met on the public road by Sergeant Gillick, and that the latter, suspecting Tierney might be carrying firearms in contravention of the Peace Preservation Act, asked his permission to search him, and did so with his permission. The sergeant did not meet Tierney on the 2nd July. The police have power under the Peace Preservation Act to arrest and convey before a Magistrate any person reasonably suspected of having unlicensed arms in a proclaimed district, but they do not resort to this power except in cases where the suspected person declines to allow himself to be examined.
§ MR. W. REDMONDThen am I to gather that unless the person so stopped 809 gives his consent the police have no power to search him?