§ MR. CAREW (Meath, S.)I beg to ask Mr. Attormey General for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the police prosecution of Mr Patrick Knowles, publican, at the last petty sessions in Athy, in which it was sworn that the police permitted a drunken man to enter the publican's licensed premises, and then prosecuted the publican; and whether he will direct the police in 24 future to first arrest men seen drunk under such conditions without waiting for an opportunity also to prosecute the publican.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (MR. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.The police did not permit the drunken man referred to to enter the premises of Mr. Patrick Knowles. On the contrary, he entered into these premises without the knowledge of the police. Even if they did permit this man to enter the publican's premises, as alleged, that is no excuse whatever to the publican for having supplied the drunken man with drink to make him more drunk. No special directions, such as suggested, can be given to the police for the purpose of protecting publicans from the temptation to violate the law. Each case must depend on its own circumstances.
§ MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.)Was it not sworn at at the petty sessions that the police did permit the man to enter the premises, for the purpose of getting a prosecution?
§ MR. ATKINSONIf so it must have been falsely sworn.