§ MR. SHEEHY (Meath, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on 15th March, Constable Donovan and another policeman, in Attymass, County Mayo, followed two girls, Mrs. Dowd's daughter and her companion Kate Judge, into Mrs. Dowd's house and beat the girls in Mrs. Dowd's presence, knocking down Kate Judge with 1065 violence and cutting her hand; and. what punishment, if any, has been inflicted on these guardians of the peace for such conduct.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The two policemen referred to in the Question deny that there is any truth in the statement that they beat or in any way assaulted these two girls in Mrs. O'Dowd's house as alleged. They were summoned by the girls for assault, and the complaints were heard at Petty Sessions on the 7th instant, when the magistrates dismissed both cases on the merits. The Inspector-General considers that there was nothing in the conduct of the policemen which calls for any action on his part.