HC Deb 04 April 1905 vol 144 cc321-2
MR. DELANY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Sergeant Fitzsimons still continues to act as Petty Sessions Clerk at Mountmellick; and, if so, whether he will state what extra remuneration he is receiving for this work over and above his ordinary pay, and who is discharging his duties as police sergeant.

MR. WALTER LONG

Yes, Sir. The question whether the sergeant is to receive extra remuneration will not be decided until the case of the suspended clerk has been dealt with. The sergeant continues to discharge his police duties.

MR. DELANY

Can the sergeant act both as clerk and m prosecutor?

MR. WALTER LONG

I have an Answer to that Question later on.

MR. DELANY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that a petty sessions clerk is debarred by statute from acting as prosecutor in the Court with which he is officially connected, and that Sergeant Fitzsimons is invariably prosecutor at the Mountmellick Petty Sessions Court, he will see that some other person is appointed to the position of acting clerk to that Court.

MR. WALTER LONG

A petty sessions clerk is not debarred by statute from acting as prosecutor in the Court of which he is clerk. Instructions, however, have been issued that the sergeant is not again to act as prosecutor while temporarily employed as clerk. He has prosecuted in one case only since he has been so employed.