HC Deb 16 April 1889 vol 335 cc605-6
MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

asked the Solicitor General for Ireland whether he was aware that at Rathmore, County Kerry, Petty Sessions, on Thursday, 11th instant, before Mr. Leonard, J.P., who was agent to the Kenmare Estate, and Mr. M'Dermott, RM., two men, Daniel O'Keefe and John Moynihan, were charged "with forming part of a disorderly crowd and cheering the Plan of Campaign," and were sent to gaol for six months in default of giving bail; was there any evidence of disorder other than cheering as above mentioned; had his attention been called to the evidence of the two police witnesses, to the effect that the defendants called for "cheers for the Plan of Campaign and William O'Brien," and to the evidence of the witnesses for the defendants to the effect that these men were members of the Rathmore Football Club, calling themselves "Blackwater Campaigners," and that having won a football match there were cheers called for and given for the "Black wall Campaigners"; and, whether, taking the circumstances into account, he would cause inquiry to be made into the case, with a view to the remission or reduction of this sentence?

MR. MADDEN

This question has been put down upon the Paper without sufficient notice. I must request, therefore, that it he postponed.

MR. SEXTON

Is it not possible to communicate by telegraph? This man has been sent to prison for six months for simply cheering on his return from a football match, and am I to understand—

MR. MADDEN

With every assistance of the telegraph it is absolutely impossible to obtain information in detail in a matter of this kind within a short time. It is a matter over which I have no control.

MR. SEXTON

Then, in the course of the next fortnight, will nothing be done to reverse the extraordinary judgment in this case?

MR. MADDEN

As no information has yet been received, I cannot answer the question.