§ DR. J. E. KENNY (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether the Local Government Board for Ireland received a letter, dated 17th March 1895, from Crosskeys, County Cavan, purporting to be written and signed by Mary Fay, and also a letter, dated 5th March 1895, also from Cross-keys, County Cavan, purporting to be written and signed by Patrick Reilly, both complaining of neglect on the part of Dr. James Mathews, medical officer of the Stradone Dispensary district of the Cavan Union, and, in consequence, ordered a Sworn Inquiry as to the charges alleged to have been made by Fay and Reilly; (2) is he aware that, before the inquiry commenced, Dr. Mathews' solicitor informed Dr. Clibborn that he had ascertained that both Patrick Reilly and Mary Fay denied they had written or signed the letters containing the charges, or in any way authorised or requested the writing or signing of the same; and that, the letters being therefore forgeries, there was nothing to inquire into; (3) will he explain why, notwithstanding this denial, Dr. Clibborn proceeded with the sworn inquiry, and insisted on taking hearsay evidence in spite of the protests of Dr. Mathews' solicitor, whom he informed was there only on sufferance and could ask only such questions as he (Dr. Clibborn) permitted; (4) whether he is aware that, during the inquiry, a witness named John Byrne, relieving officer of the district, admitted on oath that he had written the letter purporting to be signed by Patrick Reilly, and signed his (Reilly's) name thereto without his consent; and that, after this evidence, Dr. Clibborn adjourned the inquiry to the 22nd instant; and (5) whether, if the facts are as stated, he will direct the discontinuance of an inquiry, and direct the prosecution of Relieving Officer Byrne for the conduct of which he has on oath admitted he was guilty?
MR. JOHN MORLEYThe facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The Dispensary Committee asked for a Sworn Inquiry, which was opened on the 15th instant. The Local Government Board inform me that the Inquiry has been adjourned for the attendance of further witnesses; and, in the absence of the Inspector's report, they are unable to speak as to the accuracy of the statements in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs. The Inquiry has been ordered into the truth of certain charges against the Medical Officer, and not into the authorship of the letters referred to, and the fact that these letters may not have been written by persons whose signatures are appended would not, in the Board's opinion, justify the Inspector in refusing to proceed with the Inquiry if other evidence be forthcoming as to the truth or falsehood of the charges themselves.