§ MR. J. DEVLIN (Belfast, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, as the result of investigation, all the constables stationed in Maghera are to be transferred, with one exception; whether he can state how many constables have been transferred from Maghera since Sergeant Gallagher took charge of this station; whether it was decided, as the result of an investigation held at Port-stewart, 938 when Sergeant Gallagher was there, that he was never to be allowed to reside in a station again; whether any outside pressure was brought to bear on the county-inspector to retain Gallagher in Maghera, and, if so, by whom; whether wherever Gallagher has been stationed investigations have been the order of the day; and whether, in the interests of all concerned, he will consider the advisability of compulsorily retiring Gallagher from active service.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police authorities inform me that one constable has recently been transferred from Maghera, and there is no present intention of transferring others. During the past two and three-quarter years four others have been transferred, namely, one on reduction of the strength of the station, one to fill a vacancy on the reserve, and two in connection with disciplinary matters. There is no record of any decision that Sergeant Gallagher was not to reside in a station. No pressure has been brought to bear on the county inspector to retain Sergeant Gallagher at Maghera. The sergeant was selected for that station as being a steady and trustworthy man, and there is no reason why he should be compulsorily retired.