§ MR. J. P. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland with reference 76 to allege falsifications in the accounts of a deceased staff officer named Deigan in the Royal Irish Constabulary Office, Dublin Castle, (1) what are the dates on which the alleged falsifications, a shown in bank book or books, took place; (2) what are the periods within which the alleged falsifications occurred; (3) how many times during the period covered by the alleged falsifications was the bank book written up, and what was the last date, previous to deceased's death, on which the book was written up by the bank officials; (4) did any audits of the deceased's books take place within the said period, and, if so, during the progress of such audits was the bank book, alleged to be falsified, examined by the auditor, and why was the falsification not discovered; (5) is it the practice to audit at stated intervals the books of officers in deceased's position; (6) if so, why were the deceased's books not audited; (7) and who is the official or officials responsible for the neglect to audit such books.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) (1) The first falsification of the bank book was made immediately prior to 14th September, 1903, after the book had been written up in the bank. (2) Subsequent falsifications were made between that date and 11th December, 1903. (3) The bank book was not written up by the bank officials from 7th September, 1903, until immediately after Mr. Deigan's death on 6th January, 1904, though during this period false entries were made in the book, which entries purported to have been made by officials of the bank. (4) Two examinations of Mr. Deigan's books were made within the period mentioned at each of which the bank book containing the falsification was produced by him to the examiner. There was nothing at that time to indicate to the examiner that the entries were not genuine. (5), (6), (7) The books of the deceased were duly examined as I have stated and it cannot be admitted that there was any neglect in the matter.