§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can say on what date was Sergeant Sheridan dismissed from the force; what was the date of the 586 secret police inquiry held to inquire into the case of Patrick Murphy; on what grounds or information was this inquiry ordered; and what are the names of the officers who conducted it.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that Sergeant Sheridan was dismissed from the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 9th February, 1901. The police inquiry into the cases of Patrick Murphy and others was directed by the late Government on the 18th May, 1901, and the inquiry was held between that date and the 15th July, 1901, when the Report of the inquiry was received by the Government. The grounds for holding the inquiry were fully stated in this House by the right hon. Member for Dover on the 23rd July, 1902.† Briefly, the object of the inquiry was to make reparation, if that were possible, to Murphy and others in the event of its being shown that they had been improperly convicted upon the false evidence of Sheridan and others. The officers who conducted the inquiry were District Inspectors Morrison and Hobbins of the Royal Irish Constabulary.