§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sergeant Fitzsimons, Mountmellick, acted on last Court day as petty sessions clerk; and whether, in view of the fact that Fitzsimons was prosecutor in several cases at the same sessions, he will state who is responsible for the appointment and whether it is to continue.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe clerk of petty sessions having been suspended from duty, the custody of the petty sessions books was handed over to Sergeant Fitzsimons under the authority of the 6th Section of the Petty Sessions Act; and the magistrates requested the sergeant to act temporarily as clerk, pending the reinstatement of the clerk or the appointment of a new one. Sergeant Fitzsimons was prosecutor in one case at the last petty sessions. He is not exempt from his ordinary duties whilst in custody of the petty sessions records and acting as clerk.
§ MR. DELANYWhy was the clerk suspended?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have no information as to that.