§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a licensing case against Mr. Edmond O'Flaherty at the Charleville Petty Sessions on the 2nd instant., and to the evidence and conduct of Acting Sergeant Hourihane: is he aware that the case was dismissed by the unanimous decision of the magistrates; and, in view of the terms in which this policeman alluded to certain traders of the town, will notice be taken of his conduct by the constabulary authorities. I beg further to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the attention of the constabulary authorities has been called to the conduct, on recent occasions, of Acting Sergeant Hourihane, now stationed in Charleville, County Cork; is he aware that this policeman committed an assault on Mrs. James Martell of that town in the month of February, which was duly reported to the district inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary; has his attention been directed to the statements of this constable to a respectable merchant, Mr. Biggane, on his leaving Charleville Petty Sessions 586 Court on the 2nd inst.; and will he say what steps do the constabulary authorities intend to take in regard to this police officer.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM, Dover)The hon. Member has been good enough to send me a newspaper report of the proceedings in this case. Charges have been preferred against the Acting Sergeant (three of them at the suit of Mr. O'Flaherty), which will be investigated by the magistrates in Petty Sessions on Monday next. For the present, therefore, I am debarred from discussing the action of the acting sergeant.
§ MR. FLYNNWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether this constable assaulted Mrs. Martell?
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes; but as judicial proceedings are pending, I feel debarred from expressing any opinion on the matter.