HC Deb 07 March 1906 vol 153 cc458-60
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland where is Constable Anderson, who was one of the three constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary who received an indemnity from the late Government at the secret investigation which preceded the dismissal of Sergeant Sheridan for procuring by perjury the conviction of innocent men for crimes perpetrated by himself, and who was allowed by the late Government to remain on at the depôt of the Royal Irish Constabulary and discharge the duties of a constable of the force, notwithstanding the fact of his being Sheridan's accomplice in the fabrication of perjured evidence and the perpetration of crime; and whether, if this man be not removed from the Royal Irish Constabulary, on what ground is he still retained in the force, and what are the safeguards of the public against him.

MR. BRYCE

I am informed that this constable is still serving at the Royal Irish Constabulary Depôt, that he is, as was stated in this House on July 21st, 1904†, employed solely on the "fatigue" staff and is not entrusted with any authority over recruits or other members of the force, and that he performs no public duty outside the depôt. I find that the reasons for retaining this man in the force were fully stated in this House by the right hon. Member for Dover on July 23rd, 1902‡, and on other occasions.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman bound by the statement of the right hon. Member for Dover to retain in the force this moral contamination and to allow this fellow, who has been proved up to the very hilt to be a perjured felon, to wear the uniform of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

MR. BRYCE

The hon. Member will recollect that this man was allowed to continue in the force upon a promise which appears to have been made to him at the time when he became King's evidence. The hon. Member will see that it is not easy to depart from a promise made by my predecessor.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

The right hon. Gentleman is misinformed. He did not become King's evidence. He gave evidence at a private inquiry, and the result of that was a pledge which I say should not be kept, as it was a dishonourable pledge.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast,S.)

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the charges preferred against this constable are true?

MR. BRYCE

I submit that that does not arise. This matter was very fully gone into several years ago.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Yes, by a coercion Government. If this impure felon is to be retained, will he at least be segregated from other constables?

MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down S.)

Was not this man entirely acquitted of the charge brought against him? † See (4) Debates, cxxxviii., 780. ‡ See (4) Debates, cxi., 1073, et seq.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

He was never tried at all, and his guilt was admitted by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dover.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! This is now becoming a controversy. Hon. Members are not confining themselves to asking Questions.