HC Deb 23 July 1907 vol 178 cc1333-4
MR. J. P. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Police Inspector Cushion stated on oath, during the hearing of a licensing prosecution in the Dublin police † See(4) Debates, clxxvii, 1165 courts on the 31st May, that the order of 13th December, 1902, instructing members of the force that Where they observed a drunken person entering licensed premises it was their duty to call the attention of the proprietor or his assistants to his condition, did not apply to constables as distinguished from officers of higher rank; and whether, having regard to the fact that the order was referred to publicly in court by counsel engaged in the case and by the magistrate, who both commented upon the neglect of duty upon the part of the constable who was examined as a witness, ho will cause further inquiry to be made into the matter.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed by the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police that the facts are precisely as stated in the reply which I gave on. 13th June‡to the hon. Member's previous Question on this subject. The order referred to in the Question applies to constables as well as to other members of the force, and Inspector Cushion made no statement to the contrary. The constable who gave evidence of the alleged offence stated on cross-examination that he was aware of the order, but did not warn the publican in this particular case because he did not observe the drunken person entering the public house. The Chief Commissioner informs me that all members of the force are well acquainted with the order.