§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for War, What course the Government intends to pursue with regard to the conduct of soldiers in garrison at Dungarvan; and in particular with regard to the assaults on peaceful people and other offences which have been complained of before the magistrates of Dungarvan?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, I have made inquiry into the circumstances of the disturbance at Dungarvan on the 18th of March, the morrow of St. Patrick's Day; and I will read to the House the Report of Colonel Panter, the officer in command of the regiment—
On the 18th inst., when a few of the soldiers of the detachment were returning to barracks at about a quarter to 10 p.m., they were, without any notice, attacked by about 100 roughs, known at Dungarvan as 'Corner Boys;' they were pelted with stones, and called by the most disgusting and insulting epithets. They behaved with the utmost forbearance, and it was only when two men found themselves surrounded by a mob of these semi-savages that they turned on their aggressors and fought their way into barracks. I have made strict and full inquiry into the matter, and have no hesitation in saying that the behaviour of my men, under circumstances of grievous provocation, was most creditable. 'An Army Pensioner' is said to have given evidence to the effect that the soldiers brought the attack on themselves. This so-called 'Army Pensioner,' I am informed, is a man who was dismissed from Her Majesty's Service. I would 869 take this opportunity of bringing to the notice of the Lieutenant General commanding, the constant provocation received by the detachment, 37th Regiment, at the hands of the lower orders of the population at Dungarvan; scarcely a night passes without some of the men being pelted with stones on their way to barracks, and the epithets 'B——y English soldier' and 'B——y English butcher' are hurled at them at every opportunity. Notwithstanding this, I have the testimony of the police that all this is borne with the utmost patience and forbearance.The hon. Member has also sent me the copy of an information of one Patrick O'Farrell against a soldier for his conduct on the occasion. Of course, I could not prejudge the case; but I may say, with reference to one part of the complaint, that the use of obscene and abusive language by soldiers is an offence against good order, which, if proved, subjects them to punishment. Perhaps I may add, that at Carrick-on-Suir a disturbance took place on St. Patrick's Day, and some men of the same regiment were assaulted. Four of the offenders were convicted and sentenced. The soldiers were not in fault.