§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on 5th April, an inquiry into a charge of drunkenness on the night of the declaration of the poll at the Fermanagh election against Constable Brady, stationed at 44 Pettigo, preferred by the Rev. Eugene Coyle, Catholic Curate of Pettigo, was held at the Pettigo Police Barracks by District Inspectors Wall and Wallace, while Mr. Kingston, District Inspector, undertook the prosecution, which resulted in the report of the inspectors holding the investigation that the charge was without foundation; whether he is aware, at the preliminary examination held on 21st February, that four witnesses, Messrs. Thomas Aikins, Alexander Aikins, Henry Aikins, J.P., and Samuel Hawkins, corroborated the charge of Father Coyle that Constable Brady was drunk, whereas at the second inquiry three of these witnesses deposed to his sobriety, while a fourth, Alexander Aikin, rushed out of court, before being sworn, declaring that Father Coyle was an informer and ought to be shot, and that District Inspector Kingston's questions to the sergeant at Pettigo as to whether he had but to reprimand Constable Brady for tippling was not allowed to be answered by the court, and no question was put or explanation required with reference to the contradictory statements of the witnesses in their evidence at the first and the second inquiries; and whether, having regard to the character of this investigation, a full and impartial inquiry will be directed into the whole matter.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Inspector General informs me that a complaint to the effect mentioned was made by the Reverend Mr. Coyle that a constabulary court of inquiry on oath was hold in the matter, and that the constable was acquitted of the charge. I cannot enter into the further details of the Question, particularly as I understand that there is a possibility that the matter will form the subject of judicial proceedings at the instance of one of the parties.