HC Deb 16 July 1912 vol 41 cc231-2W
Mr. LUNDON

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make inquiries and ascertain if a by-law was instituted some years ago by County-Inspector Hayes, of Limerick, whereby members of the Royal Irish Constabulary are actually bound to make out cases if they are to gain any favour or promotion from the county inspector; whether a record is kept from month to month showing the number of cases brought forward by each constable, and the convictions, etc., obtained; and, if so, in view of the danger which such a by-law constitutes, will it be withdrawn as Limerick is the only county in Ireland where it now exists?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Inspector-General informs me that some years ago County Inspector Hayes, who was in charge of the county Limerick force, but is now retired, directed that a record should be made every month at each station showing the number of prosecutions by each member of the force, the intention merely being to see how the men were discharging their duty. As such an order is liable to be misinterpreted, the Inspector-General has ordered its withdrawal.

Mr. LUNDON

asked the Chief Secretary whether any extra police have been recently brought into Pallas and Oola, stationed at county Limerick; if so, will he state the reason for this course; was a report made that a cattle drive was to take place on the lands of the late Sir Heppernan Considine, at West Pallasgrean, county Limerick, and will the name of the gentleman who supplied this report be furnished; and, in view of the fact that this district is peaceable, and seeing that there was no intention whatever of interfering with the Considine lands, will the extra police be withdrawn and more caution exercised in the future about taking such reports?

Mr. BIRRELL

No extra police, entailing any charge on the county or locality, have been sent to either of the stations named, but the county inspector recently in the exercise of his discretion augmented the police at these stations when allocating his men to the best advantage for the preservation of the peace and good order of his county.