§ MR. P. C. DOOGAN (Tyrone, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) if his attention has been called to a statement made before a Bench of Magistrates at Omagh a few days ago by Mr. Ross, Q. C., that the constabulary on the night of 27th July made a series of blunders, and the result was to create a scene of confusion through which many of the inhabitants of Omagh suffered injury; and (2) whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to ascertain whether any foundation exists for these charges?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy attention has been drawn to a newspaper report of the proceedings in this case, from which it appears that the learned Gentleman did make use of the statement referred to. Informations were refused by a majority of the Bench of Magistrates, but a minority, including the Resident Magistrate, considered that a primâ facie case had been 1453 proved against the defendants, and that they should be returned for trial. As regards the second paragraph, I have called for the depositions taken before the magistrates, and until I have had an opportunity of perusing them and consulting the law officers in the matter, I cannot undertake to say whether further action in the direction indicated is called for or necessary. The matter, however, will receive my careful consideration.