§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what specific complaints were made against the two police witnesses in the Farrell case, which resulted in their removal from Belfast, and by whom those complaints were made; whether any animadversion was passed upon them for their evidence in the case referred to; whether they were afforded any opportunity of replying to any complaints; and whether he will now direct a reconsideration of the transfers or an independent inquiry.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.The Inspector-General informs me that no complaints were made by anyone against the two police witnesses in question, and that no animadversion was passed upon them for their evidence in the case referred to. The Inspector-General, when arriving at his decision that it was desirable in the public interest to transfer these men from Belfast, had before him their evidence given at the Court of Inquiry; and in both cases he was satisfied from that evidence alone that they had failed in the zealous performance of their duties. In these circumstances, the Inspector-General, in the exercise of his discretion, considered it unnecessary that any formal complaint or charge should be preferred against the men, and consequently they were not called upon to answer any complaint. The question of transferring men of the Royal Irish Constabularly from one district to another is one for the decision of the Inspector General, and I am not aware of any reason why I should interfere in the matter.
§ MR. MACVEAGHAre we to understand the Inspector - General removed these constables without any complaints being made against them?
§ MR. MACVEAGHDoes the right hon. Gentleman think anybody will believe that?