Mr. E. J. KELLYasked the right hon. the Attorney-General for Ireland whether it is with his consent and approval that Mr. Anthony Carroll, Crown Solicitor for Cork, has proceeded to North Louth, and by stating that he is the Crown Solicitor for Cork is using his position to procure evidence on behalf of Mr. Timothy Healy, and whether in particular his attention has been called to the evidence of Head Constable O'Grady, who stated that he gave Mr. O'Carroll certain evidence on being informed by him that he was Crown Solicitor for Cork, and whether he will take steps to prevent a public servant from using his official position to assist a private individual in a civil action to obtain information which he could not otherwise procure?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe only information I had that Mr. Carroll was taking part in the Election Petition relating to the North Louth Election was 452 contained in a letter received by me from Mr. Carroll towards the end of last week, informing me that he was engaged for the purpose, and requesting my permission to retain a counsel to take his place in an appeal then pending before the Quarter Sessions. I assented to Mr. Carroll's doing so at his own expense. Mr. Carroll did not ask for any consent or approval on my part in respect of his intended action in connection with the Election Petition, nor is there anything in the rules regulating the office of Crown Solicitor requiring that he should do so. It would be quite improper for Mr. Carroll or any other Crown Solicitor to use his official position for any purpose like that suggested in the question, but I feel bound to state that on reading the passage in the newspaper report just sent to me by the hon. Gentleman it does not appear to me to at all support the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, it gives me the contrary impression.