HC Deb 06 March 1899 vol 67 cc1358-9
DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Francis Garvey, of Murrisk, county Mayo, agent of the Congested Districts Board, is employed in connection with, the improvement of the breed of farm stock and poultry in a district in which his own tenants dwell; whether he is aware that Mr. Garvey was dismissed from the Royal Navy, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour, for stealing the money of a brother Naval officer, and, being subsequenty employed as Petty Sessions clerk at Louisburgh, county Mayo, had to be called on to resign in consequence of defalcation in his accounts; whether he is aware that on Mr. Garvey's claim for compensation for alleged burning of a dwelling-house, Sergeant Murphy swore he believed the arson to have been committed in the interests of the landlord; under these circumstances, will he call on the Congested Districts Board to dismiss Mr. Garvey; and, will steps be taken by the police authorities before the claim for compensation comes before the Grand Jury to make inquiries into the ground for Sergeant Murphy's belief that that arson was committed by someone in Garvey's interest?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

This Question refers, among other things, to a matter which will come before the Judge at the Assizes, which open on the 18th instant. I would ask the honourable Member to be good enough to postpone it until after the case has been decided. I may state, however, that the constabulary will attend the Assizes for the purpose of giving information to the Grand Jury in connection with Mr. Garvey's claim for compensation.