§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the constabulary authorities has been directed to complaints concerning the conduct of District Inspector Cruise, Charleville, county Cork, at petty sessions courts and in the discharge of other official duties; are they aware that at the last petty 1554 sessions court this officer endeavoured to usurp the magisterial functions, suggested whipping as a proper punishment for a young lad accused of larceny, and stated he would take the skin off the lad's back; that in subsequent cases he continually interrupted the magistrates and solicitors by interposing his views, and was reprimanded by Captain Fitzpatrick, R.M.; and whether the constabulary authorities will require this officer to confine himself to his strictly official duties in future.
§ MR. CHERRYThe constabulary authorities inform me that District Inspector Cruise was the complainant in the case to which the Question particularly refers. It was the chairman of the bench and not Mr. Cruise who first suggested that the boy should be birched rather than sent to gaol, and the solicitor for the defence subsequently repeated the suggestion, which was eventually adopted by the Bench. I am informed that it is not the case that the district inspector said he would take the skin off the lad's back. I am also informed that it is not the fact that in subsequent cases the district inspector continually interrupted the magistrates and solicitors. He did, however, interrupt a solicitor for the defence by interposing the objection that the solicitor was putting leading questions. It is the case that the resident magistrate once rebuked Mr. Cruise. The Inspector-General informs me that Mr. Cruise is an active and efficient officer and that he is satisfied that the officer confines himself to the discharge of his official duties. In any case, so far as proceedings in Court are concerned, the magistrates appear to be well able to maintain the authority of the Court.
§ MR. CHERRYThe point is one well worth considering.