§ MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Constable O'Halloran, who was disabled for life by a gunshot wound received on the night of 9th October last while affording police protection to Colonel Lopdell, near Athenry, was in receipt of pay of £53 a year, and that the pension to which he is entitled now on retiring from the Royal Irish Constabulary is only £24 a year; and seeing, that this constable was on the list for early promotion to the rank of sergeant, whether any, and, if so, what, additional pension will be paid to him by reason of his having been maimed in the discharge of his duty.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)Constable O'Halloran was seriously injured by a gunshot on the occasion mentioned, and has since been under medical treatment. The question whether he is permanently incapacitated for service has not yet been determined. The constable's present pay is £67 per annum. His ordinary pension would amount to £24 a year, but if it should be certified that he is permanently incapacitated by reason of injuries received while on duty, there is power to award him a pension not exceeding his annual pay. Constable O'Halloran has lodged a claim against the county council for compensation in respect of the malicious injury inflicted upon him, and if he should be granted compensation the fact would be taken into account in fixing the amount of pension. The constable's case will receive full consideration.