10. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Superintendent Dunne, of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, theatened a police constable on the 29th November last that if he, the police constable, had not a higher record of summons, he would transfer him to another division as a punishment; whether he will state why constables should be induced by threats of this nature to summon people without cause in the city of Dublin so as to keep up a high standard of crime; will he state if it is a portion of a policeman's 606 duty to manufacture charges against the citizens of Dublin; and, if so, with what object?
§ Mr. DUKEOn or about the date mentioned the Chief Superintendent had occasion to reprimand a constable for negligence, and to warn him that unless his duty was more efficiently performed he might have to be removed to another division. I am satisfied that the suggestion of a desire on the part of superior officers of police in Dublin to manufacture groundless charges is absolutely unfounded.
Mr. NUGENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the same threat was made to stop the salary of another policeman because he would not accept 3s. less than his ordinary pay, and the next day he was sent for and paid the amount?
§ Mr. DUKEI do not know how the hon. Member assumes I should be aware of these suggested facts unless I have some source of inspiration. They do not arise out of the question
Mr. NUGENTI do assume that when investigation is made about a case of this nature, all the facts should be submitted to the right hon. Gentleman in order that he may answer questions fully in the House.
11. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary if it is according to the regulations of the Dublin Metropolitan Police for a superintendent to ask a sergeant into a public-house and therein conspire to arrange for the dismissal of constables over whom he has no control; if he is aware that the constables referred to were dismissed, while the superintendent and sergeant who broke regulations are both retained in their position; is he aware that the constables dismissed were Catholics and the officers retained were non-Catholics; and will he state what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Chief Commissioner is not aware of any instance in which a superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Police entered a public-house with a sergeant for such a purpose. Such a proceeding would be contrary to the regulations, and the Chief Commissioner will be prepared to make a full investigation if the facts are placed before him.
Mr. NUGENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the facts have been placed 607 before the Chief Commissioner and that a sergeant was sent direct to appeal that this question should not be put down?
12. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Superintendent Flynn at a parade of constables in his division, held on the 10th February, told the men that they were getting their money by false pretence and threatened that if the did not bring more summonses he would report them and have them transferred as a punishment; is he aware that some men protested that they could not bring summonses against innocent people, and that the superintendent further stated that there were only three summonses for January, 1917, as compared with twenty-one for the previous January; and will he intimate whether it is the duty of the Dublin Metropolitan Police to manufacture crime.?
§ Mr. DUKEI have made inquiry, and am satisfied that the allegations in the question are without foundation.
13. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary how many constables are engaged in protecting Major Price, the number of plain-clothes constables that follow him, and the number convenient to his residence; is he aware that Major Price has written to the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan police regarding explosions near his house at 109, North Circular Road, Dublin; and is he aware that the inspector of the district after investigation discovered that the explosions in question were merely squibs thrown by children?
§ Mr. DUKEI can give no information as to police arrangements made for the safety of individuals. I had not heard of the explosion of squibs which the hon. Member mentions. Such explosions are not the subject of official reports.
14. Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a person was arrested at the end of April last for having illegally in her possession at Cathedral Street, Dublin, property supposed to be looted from city shops, and that the said person was to come up on remand on the 608 3rd May last, and that the said person did not appear, and has never been brought to trial; if he is aware that the reason why the person charged was not brought to trial was that the property disappeared from Store Street Police Station; and will he state if any inquiry has taken place as to the person responsible for the custody of the property or any effort made to recover the property, and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. DUKECertain charges of the nature suggested were made at the end of April last. If the hon. Member will inform me of the name of the woman to whom he refers, and the nature of the looted property, I will have inquiry made.
Mr. NUGENTWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to hold a sworn inquiry into the incident and I will produce the constable and sergeant who made the charge, name and address of the person who was charged, the date upon which they were to appear and all the other particulars?
Mr. NUGENTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider it most unfair that sergeants and constables, who have been threatened that they will be transferred or means will be taken for their dismissal, to have this inquiry unless they get an: indemnity for giving information?
§ Mr. DUKEIf improper means are used to stifle inquiry I shall use the powers of the Police Act and see that an effective inquiry is made.
Mr. NUGENTCould not the right hon. Gentleman easily ascertain whether the person was charged or not? Surely there is an entry in the records of the police that the charge was made.