HC Deb 28 March 1904 vol 132 cc821-2
MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the coroner for the Limavady district held an inquest on the l5th instant into the death of a farmer who, according to the evidence, had been drinking excessively during the day in Limavady, and on returning home was given another supply at a roadside public house; can he state what steps have been taken to prosecute those responsible for giving the drink; and will he cause intructions to be issued that, in cases where it is shown the deceased was under the influence of drink when he came by his death, full inquiries should be made and the offenders prosecuted.

(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) An inquest was held into the circumstances attending the death of the man in question. There was no evidence whatever adduced at the inquest that the deceased had been drinking to excess. The only evidence given in this connection was to the effect that he had had two drinks on the date mentioned. His death was caused by the upsetting of his cart, under which the body was found. The horse was in the habit of shying. The local police report that the deceased was a sober, steady man.