§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to proceedings at Knock Petty Sessions, which resulted in two men employed on the farm of Mr. James Griffin being fined for assault; whether he is aware that the men so fined were being escorted from the farm to their homes by three police officers, including Acting-Sergeant Thomas O'Neill, and that the acting-sergeant neglected to render assistance to the assaulted man, John Leary, who was seriously injured, but escorted home one of the defendants in the case; whether Leary asked the police to undertake a prosecution, but without result; and whether any action has been taken with regard to the conduct of the police?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that on the occasion of the assault for which the two men were fined Leary made a complaint to the police who were escorting the men. The police, after giving Leary every opportunity of identifying his assailants, saw the men home and then returned to his house to investigate the case further. Leary had not, so far as the police could see, received any wound or injury requiring their assistance. They were bound to protect the workmen, and the Inspector-General has no fault to find with their conduct.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has carefully read the evidence as given at the Knock Petty Sessions with regard to this case?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir, I cannot say that I have.