§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he was aware that a complaint was lodged by a man named Patrick Thompson, of Longford, at the Longford police barracks, on Saturday, 7th April, of this year, as to an alleged larceny of coal at Longford railway station, of which he said he was an eye-witness; whether any inquiry was made by the police into the matter; if not, would he say why not; and whether he would call for a report as to the answer given by the police in the matter recently?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)I am informed that on Saturday, 8th April, Patrick Thompson did make a report as indicated in the question at the Longford police barracks. The police at once investigated the matter, and, as I understand, came to the conclusion that the report was wholly unfounded. A man in the employment of Mr. Henry McNeill, who was the carting contractor for the railway company, had merely put the loaded cart in Mr. McNeill's gateway while he was having his dinner. The 2012 police afterwards saw the man drive the cart, with the coal in it, to the military barracks, its destination. I understand no complaint has since been made on the subject by anyone interested. The previous reply of the police dealt with the hon. Gentleman's question which referred to 28th April.