§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, 1194 R.M., Portarlington, ordered a police constable, named Roberts, to arrest a farmer, whom he alleged obstructed him on the road, on a charge of drunkenness; whether he is aware that the constable, after walking the man up and clown the road, refused, upon conscientious grounds, to make the arrest, and has since been transferred to another station under censure; and, in view of the fact that Mr. Fitzgerald has on a previous occasion been fined £1 for obstructing two ladies on the public highway, will he say what course the Irish Government propose taking in this matter.
MR. BRYCEI am informed that a civil action for damages in respect of the circumstance alleged in the first part of the Question has been instituted against the resident magistrate by Mr. Wyer, the farmer referred to. While that action is sub judice, it would be highly undesirable that I should make any statement whatever upon the subject, which might have the effect of prejudicing the hearing of the action.