§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that Head Constable Gilmour, of Ballyshannon, although having accommodation in barracks, draws a sum of 13s. a month lodging allowance at the expense of the Constabulary Force Fund; whether a single or married head constable will be transferred to that station to take up the vacant apartments provided in barracks and thus save £7 16s. annually; whether he is aware that two sons of Head Constable Gilmour are in employment in the town of Ballyshannon, contrary to the regulations bearing on that point; whether he is aware that on Wednesday evening, the 11th March, in presence of civilians. Head Constable Gilmour abused two Catholic constables on the public street in Ballyshannon when on duty, and threatened to have them banished from the service in a short time, and that a sergeant at present stationed in Ballyshannon had some time ago to report the head constable for similar conduct, resulting in the reprimand of Head Constable Gilmour; and whether, in view of the fact that 75 per cent. of the police in Ballyshannon are Catholics, he will consider the advisability of placing them under the control of a Catholic head constable.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Inspector-General informs me that there is no room 1425 in Ballyshannon Barracks for the; head constable, and in. the circumstances he is exempted by statute from the usual deduction of 4s. 4d. a month for barrack accommodation, and draws the regulation lodging allowance of 8s. 8d a month. This allowance is paid from the Vote and not from the Constabulary Force Fund. There are no vacant apartments in the barracks. There has bean no infringement of the regulations in the employment of the head constable's sons in the town. On 11th March the head constable found fault with two Catholic constables, who were on patrol duty, but he denies hiving abused or threatened them, and states no civilians were within hearing. The Inspector-General is inquiring into the matter and will take any disciplinary action that may be necessary. About three years ago a sergeant complained that the head constable had reprimanded him in public, but the latter subsequently expressed regret at having unintentionally hurt the sergeant's feelings and the matter ended. The head constable was not reprimanded. The proportion of Catholics in the entire force is about 75 per cent., so that there is nothing exceptional at Ballyshannon in this respect. The Inspector-General does not propose to remove the head constable from this station so long as he performs his duties satisfactorily.