§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that Sara Anne Meekins, the girl arrested in Dublin on 28th January last on a grave charge, is a young woman, of the age of twenty-three, against whom no charge was ever made previously; and, seeing 906 that the medical evidence in the case by three eminent practitioners conclusively established that the charges of the police were demonstrably false and groundless, whether he will, in the interests of the public, institute a full inquiry into the case?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Redmond Barry)I dealt with this case fully in my answer of May 22nd instant to the hon. Gentleman's question on the subject. There was a prolonged magisterial investigation at which the girl was represented by solicitor and counsel, and it is not possible to suppose that the full facts were not elicited. I do not think the case calls for any further inquiry. It is, I understand, the fact that no previous charge had been made against the girl.
§ Mr. DILLONIs it possible that this girl has no means of getting compensation for the way in which she has been treated?
§ Mr. MULDOONDoes the right hon. Gentleman in this case accept the evidence of the police or the evidence of the medical gentlemen who were examined, as it is impossible to accept both?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe question put to me by the hon. Gentleman was whether or not there was a conspiracy to destroy the fame of the girl. I examined the case most carefully from that point of view, and came personally to the conclusion that there was no foundation for that suggestion.
§ Mr. DILLONDid the right hon. Gentleman not examine the case from the point of view of a cruel injury being inflicted on an innocent girl, and there being no means of obtaining any redress?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I am in no sense responsible for the charge, which I have come to the conclusion was bonâ fide brought by the police.
§ Mr. MULDOONMay I ask whether the medical evidence in this case conclusively established that the police case was a bogus case, and that there was a conspiracy to commit perjury?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI am very sorry in the girl's interest that the hon. Gentleman persists in this question. All I would like to say at this stage is that I do not assent to that version.