§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that charges made by Dr. Bolster, Tinahely, against Nurse Joyce, an employee of the Shillelagh Union, were 1041 investigated by the guardians of that union, and dismissed as unfounded; will he explain why the Local Government Board, overriding the decision of the guardians, ordered a new inquiry to be held by their own inspector, Dr. Flinn; also, why the latter, after making arrangements to hold the inquiry in the Tinahely Courthouse, subsequently, without explanation to witnesses and other persons concerned, held the inquiry in Shillelagh; whether Dr. Flinn called for a list of witnesses on behalf of the accuser and accused, and also summoned Dr. Bolster's witnesses; and, if so, why did he not summon Nurse Joyce's witnesses; and whether he is aware that notwithstanding Dr. Flinn's statement to some of the guardians that there was nothing in Dr. Bolster s charges, he (Dr. Flinn) has given judgment against Nurse Joyce; and whether in view of Dr. Flinn s procedure towards Mrs. Joyce, he will order Dr. Flinn s decision to be reconsidered, and direct a new inquiry to be held.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe charges preferred by Dr. Bolster against Nurse Joyce were investigated and dismissed by the guardians. In view of the gravity of the charges the Local Government Board ordered a sworn inquiry to be held by its inspector, Dr. Flinn. The inquiry was held at Shillelagh, the usual and most convenient place. All the witnesses on both sides whose evidence was likely to be material were summoned, and attended. Dr. Flinn did not state that there was nothing in the charges against the nurse. The decision was arrived at by the Board, not by Dr. Flinn, whose duty was simply to obtain evidence. It does not appear that any further inquiry is called for.