§ MR. REDDY (King's County, Birr)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the conviction of Sergeant Dunphy and Constable Daly at Gurteen Petty Sessions on Friday for assaulting two civilians, whether the attention of the Lord Chancellor will be called to the fact that one of the adjudicating justices suggested to the defendants what witnesses they should call and how the defence should be conducted; whether he is aware that the resident magistrate afforded the justice of the peace an opportunity of retiring from the hearing of the case; whether any complaints have previously been made with reference to the political bias of the same justice of the peace; and whether he will advise the Lord Chancellor to remove this gentleman from the commission of the peace.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have seen a newspaper report of this case, from which it appears that during the hearing Lord Ashtown, one of the magistrates, asked one of the defendants whether he intended to call a certain witness whom he had announced on the previous Court day he had summoned, but who had not appeared on that occasion. The complainants' solicitor at once objected to Lord Ashtown adjudicating in the case, whereupon the presiding resident magistrate said that he had not heard the remark complained of, but it was for Lord Ashtown to say whether he would adjudicate. Lord Ashtown replied that ha would continue to act, and he did so. I am not aware that any previous complaints in regard to Lord Ashtown's action as a magistrate have been made. The Answer to the concluding inquiry is in the negative.
§ MR. REDDYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been directed to the proceedings before the Petty Sessions Court at Gurteen, county Gal way, on July 7th, when Sergeant William Dunphy and Constable Edward Daly of the Royal 567 Irish Constabulary were convicted and fined for assault; will he say whether Sheridan and Daly are doing duty at Cloncagh protection station; and, if so, whether, in view of the conduct of these policemen, he will take steps in the interest of public order in the district to have these policemen removed or reprimanded.
§ MR. WALTER LONGOn two occasions the magistrates were equally divided in this case, and eventually, on the third hearing, the two policemen were convicted by a majority of the Bench and fined 2s. 6d. each. The policemen applied that the penalties should be increased with a view to an appeal, but the Bench, by the same majority, refused the application. The constables are not now stationed at Clooncagh. Their conduct on the occasion in question is under the consideration of the Inspector-General.
§ MR. REDDYAre these the men the right hon. Gentleman said he was dependent on when he arrived in Dublin to take up his office?
§ [No Answer was returned.]