§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the arrest of a water bailiff named Sweeny, residing near Banteer, county Cork, on the charge of larceny of a watch; is he aware that the accused was discharged without bail, and an order made that he should be summoned; and, what explanation have the local constabulary authorities to offer why the accused has not been so summoned?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIn this case I am informed that Sweeny upon whom the watch was found, was taken before a Magistrate who discharged him without bail and stated that the owner should take such proceedings as she was advised. The owner refused, however, to take action, and the District Inspector of Constabulary then brought the case before the Magistrates at Kanturk Petty Sessions on the 23rd of January who referred the District Inspector to the Justice before whom the case had been originally brought. The latter did not however, consider the case strong enough for the police to prosecute, as there was no evidence that Sweeny had committed a larceny of the watch, which has been returned to the owner.