§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on the night of the 6th March Sergeant Sullivan and another constable forcibly detained Patrick Meany, of Ballymaclune, Quin, County Clare, and held his arms while searching his pockets; can he state under what authority this was done; and whether directions will be given that the police abstain in future from such conduct towards this man.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.Late on the night mentioned Meany was suspected of having concealed about his person unlicensed firearms. In order to satisfy themselves on the point he quietly allowed the constables to examine him. They used no force whatever on the occasion. It is the duty of the police to arrest persons reasonably suspected of having arms in contravention of the Peace Preservation Act, and no further instructions to the police on this point are necessary.