§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a statement in a Waterford paper that, on the occasion of the rejoicings for the release of Mr. Parnell at Cappoquin, the police interfered, and the head constable drew a dagger and held it up before the people; whether, on the Rev. Mr. Casey cautioning him, the head constable said that the clergyman was inciting the people to attack him; whether the Rev. gentleman reported the circumstances to the sub-inspector, and what has been the result of the inquiry; whether daggers, such as that alleged to have been displayed by the constable, have been served out to the Irish Police Force; if not, whether the Government approve of the display of this weapon by the constable, when his regulation sword was available; whether, if the statements are denied, the Government will grant an inquiry there into; and, whether, on the evening in question, a sub-constable was stationed at the door of the house of Mr. Michael Fitzgerald, general merchant, thereby deterring many people from entering his shop on business; and what justification there is for such a proceeding?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, I am informed that the account of this transaction, which has been furnished to the hon. Member, is exaggerated. The constable, on the occasion referred to in the Question, seeing an explosive alight near a dwelling in the main 1574 street in the town of Cappoquin, went to put it out with a sword-cane which he had in his hand. While doing so the cane became detached from the sword; but the constable at once replaced it. The Rev. Mr. Casey then came up, and remonstrated with the constable for extinguishing the fire, and told him he was exciting the people. The constable respectfully replied that it was his duty to put out the fire, and if there was excitement it was due to the interference of the rev. gentleman. Next day the rev. gentleman called on the Sub-Inspector, and complained to him of the constable. The Sub-Inspector, in reply, told him that he thought the constable had only done his duty, but that he would inquire into it. He did so, and found no further step called for. Of course, no daggers are served out to the police, nor was any dagger displayed on the occasion referred to. No sub or other constable was placed at Mr. Fitzgerald's door, nor was anyone deterred from entering his shop on business.
§ MR. HEALYI beg leave to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether sword-canes have been served out to the police; and whether the Government approve of their use, since ordinary swords have been placed at the disposal of the police?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M.JOHNSON)No sword-canes have been served out; and I should think that they are very much a more harmless weapon than the ordinary swords.