§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that two constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary on duty in Chichester Street, Belfast, on the 20th inst., were charged by a city official with being drunk, and were immediately placed under arrest and brought to the Belfast Police Office, where they were paraded before superior officers and found to be perfectly sober; and whether the city official has offered any reparation to the constables for the false charge made against them; and, if not, whether the constables will be allowed to have recourse to ordinary civil remedies, open to other Citizens in similar cases.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, who is the official referred to, has admitted that he made a mistake, and expressed his regret for what has happened. The character of the constables has been fully cleared, and I do not consider this is a case in which permission should be given to institute civil proceedings.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this decision, and allow these two constables, who were arrested when on duty on the charge of being drunk, whereas they are now admitted to have been perfectly sober, and were marched to the police office, to have recourse to the same remedy as every citizen——
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is arguing the question on the Paper. It has been fully answered.
§ MR. DAVITTDo I understand the official referred to was the Lord Mayor of Belfast?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURYes, Sir.
§ MR. DILLONIs it not the fact he had just come out from a banquet to Mr. Is may?
§ No answer was given.