THE O'DONOGHUEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lietenant of Ireland, Why the military authorities do not take steps to prevent the soldiers quartered at Castleisland, in Kerry, from night to night assembling in the streets, whirling their belts, and calling on the "Irish cowards to come out and fight;" and, why it is that the police remain passive spectators of proceedings highly calculated to provoke a breach of the peace?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERIn reply to this Question, I may just state that a very strong charge is made by the hon. Gentleman against the military and police, without giving the slightest authority for it. He does not even refer to a newspaper article as an authority. I can only that I have no information on the subject,
THE O'DONOGHUEAs the right hon. Gentleman insinuates—or, perhaps I may say, absolutely states—that I have no authority for putting the Question, I beg to say that I have it on the most undoubted authority that the occurrences stated in my Question have taken place, and also that the police are most grossly neglecting their duty in Castle-island.
§ Subsequently,
THE O'DONOGHUEsaid: In consequence of the answer of the Chief Secretary to my Question with reference to the misconduct of the soldiery at Castle-island, I beg to give Notice that I shall repeat the Question on Friday, in order to give the right hon. Gentleman an opportunity of making inquiries on the subject, and so as not to give grounds for the supposition, which I am sure is not warranted, that he is anxious to screen the military and police.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI may say at once, and I think the House will agree with me, that it ought not to be made a custom to put Questions on the Paper containing serious charges against individuals, without the slightest appearance of an attempt in the Question to give any authority for them.
THE O'DONOGHUEI put the Questions on information which satisfied me thoroughly, and which I have no doubt would satisfy the House. I shall renew the Question on Friday.