§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLOn behalf of the hon. Member for South Mayo I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the expenses in connection with the trial of the two policemen who are charged with committing perjury 632 at Ballinrobe about the 2nd of February last, must be borne by themselves or by the public; whether these policemen will be put forward at the next assizes in Mayo; and, if not, when will steps be taken to remove from the force entrusted with the protection of the lives and properties of the people, members who lay themselves open to such charges.
I also beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is' aware that the two policemen stationed at Ballinrobe, county Mayo, j against whom the Attorney-General for Ireland has instituted a prosecution for perjury, are still doing ordinary duty in Ballinrobe, and that they have not been interfered with by their authorities since the Crown decided on prosecuting them; and, if so, will he say whether it is his intention to have them immediately arrested or bound over to appear when necessary, or at least to remove them from the police force until the charge against them is either proved or their acquittal obtained from a jury of their countrymen.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe two constables were suspended on the 14th instant. The procedure, in accordance with the ordinary practice in such cases, will be by summons. The accused must in the first instance bear the costs of their defence. Whether the Crown will ultimately contribute to the expense will depend on the issue of the trial. The other portions of the Questions seem to assume the guilt of the accused and anticipate the decision of the justices I must decline to answer them.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)Will you take steps to see that these two men do not fly from justice?
§ [No answer was returned.]
§ Subsequently Mr. THOMAS O'DONNELL asked a Question of which notice had been sent to the Chief Secretary.
§ MR. SPEAKERIt can only be asked if it deals with an urgent matter of public importance.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLIt does that.
The hon. Member then proceeded to ask the Question, which had reference to the nature of the evidence to be called, and inquired why certain magistrates had not been summoned.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That obviously is a Question of which, notice must be given.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND () WaterfordIn order to show the urgency of the matter, may I point out that the case is to be heard next Monday and we have no opportunity of putting a Question before then, unless we do it to-day.
§ MR. SPEAKERI must confess that the matter, although it may arouse great interest in the locality, does not seem to me to amount to one of urgent public importance.