§ 34. Mr. LUNDONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a head constable of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Kinsale was recently victimised through the findings of a Court of Inquiry; whether for some time previous to the holding of the inquiry this head constable and the district inspector were continually at loggerheads; whether one of the chief causes of this inquiry was due to the action of the head constable in charging the district inspector with using a motor vehicle without licence; and, in view of the animus which the inspector was possessed of against this victim, will a further inquiry be held and have the same constituted of impartial men?
§ Mr. DUKEThe head constable referred to was recently tried by a constabulary Court of Inquiry for a number of offences against discipline. He was found guilty of all the charges except one, and the proceedings of the Court were confirmed by the Inspector-General. Being satisfied that the head constable was quite unfit for his rank, or any post of responsibility, the Inspector-General, in desiring to deal leniently with the case, directed that the head constable should send in an application to be retired on pension. He has done so, and he will be discharged on pension on the 30th instant. I am assured there is no ground for the suggestion that the district inspector in preferring charges against the head constable was actuated by any improper motive. The charges were impartially investigated, and there is no ground for holding any further inquiry.