HC Deb 23 July 1897 vol 51 cc892-3
MR. T. J. CONDON (Tipperary, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) if he is aware that on 8th June ultimo a police constable named Hunter, engaged in the County Inspector's Office, Clonmel, distributed Protestant tracts amongst Catholic members of the force who were on special duty on that day in Clonmel; (2) had Constable Hunter any instructions from his superior officers in reference to the distribution of such tracts, and has his action been made the subject of a report from the head constable at Colnmel to the Inspector General of Constabulary and (3) what reply, if any, has been made by the Inspector General?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The fact is as stated in the first paragraph. The constable had no instructions from his superior officers in reference to this matter. No suspicion attached to the motive of the constable in distributing the pamphlets, but he showed a want of discretion and a failure to observe the spirit, of the regulations of the force. He has been so informed by the Inspector General.