Star. — 1824-02-12 (London, England)

CONDUCT OF POLICE MEN IN IRELAND.  Mr. GRATTAN rose, pursuant to his notice, to move for copies of the proceedings before a Coroner's Jury, on an inquest held on the body of one M'Can. It appeared from the information which the Honourable Gentleman had received, that the unfortunate sufferer was an agent employed in the collection of lents, in the barony of Strathbane. He was returning to his borne, when he entered a public-house, where he met several of the tenants from whom he was to receive rent. The Police-officers came afterwards into the same house, and caused a riot and affray, in the course of which the agent was killed. The Honourable Gentleman said his information went on to state, that an inquest had been held on the body, at which two surgeons attended, who swore that the death of the deceased was occasioned by an inflammation of the bowels; and that upon this evidence the Jury acquitted the Police-officer, notwithstanding the dying declaration of the victim, who said that he had been killed by the Police-man. The Honourable Gentleman did not know whether the Policeman was still at large, or whether any proceedings had been taken again•t him. He was, however, induced to make the present motion in the hope of calling the attention of the Magistrates to the conduct of this description of men, who, in the county where this transaction occurred, were notorious for the commission of violent and illegal acts. They were often taken up, sometimes removed ; but never, that he had been able to learn, discharged. The consequence was, that the Publk had no confidence in the administration of justice, as reH garded them ; and it was with a view to remedy the existing abuses, by the adoption of some ulterior measures, that he now moved for copies of the proceedings on the Coroner's inquest on the body of Michael M'Can. Mr. HUME seconded the motion. Mr. GOULBURN thought, that without going into the facts of the case, the Honourable Gentleman would agree that it was not at present advisable to adopt such a measure as he had proposed. He had received no infor• mation from Ireland respecting this case; but even supposing the statement of the Honourable Gentleman to be, as it probably was, quite correct, still he thought that upon general principles his motion ought not to be acceded to. An individual came by his death in A public-house, and the Coroner's Jury were of opinion that he died in the course of nature. Suppose the police officer had actually murdered this man, he (Mr. Goulburn) would ask the Honourable Gentleman, whether he thought by the publication of the evidence on the Inquest, he was more likely to obtain justice on the criminal, or whether he would not rather enable him to shape ;:is defence so as to evade it? The Honourable Gentleman knew very well, that the verdict of the Jury not preclude the ti ial of the police-officer, and even at this moment he might have been indicted by the family of the deceased, or the local Government might have niterlored, if they saw any necessity for doing so. He would ask the Honourable Gentleman, knowing, as he did, the state of the part of Ireland now alluded to, whether he did not think that the publication of the evidence which he now sought might not be highly injurious, by giving the accused an op, ortnnity of getting out of the way, or adopting some of the other expedients which were too frequent in that part of the country for eluding tt e pursuit of justice ? He was as anxious as the flolioui Aisle Gentleman could be to see the police-officers puni•hed whenever they acted impro• perly, and no kss desirous that they should be protected the faithful di-charge of their duty.  Mr. GRATTAN was only desirous to excite a proper attention to this subject, and if the Right Honour:tide Gentleman would promise to take the case under his own care, and adopt such proceedings as might be necessary, he would gladly leave it in his hands, and withdraw his 'alocion.  Mr. GOULBURN would not pledge himself to commence a prosecution in a crse of which he knew nothing, but he wou:d make inquiries into it, and what justice required should be done. Mr. GRATTAN said he was satislied, and withdrew his motion,