§ DR. TANNER (Mid-Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on what authority and by whose directions did a constable named Moscal demand admission, and, on being refused, endeavoured by force to enter the house in Castledermott where the local members of the Gaelic Athletic Club were holding their St. Patrick's Day meeting last Sunday; whether Constable Looney, with Moscal, followed the members of the club to their practising ground on that day, and if it is a fact that these constables made use of remarks on that occasion irritating in their character to the Gaels and calculated to provoke a breach of the peace; whether he is aware that the Secretary of the club in question was subsequently obliged to go to the police-station and complain of the drunken and disorderly conduct of 541 Constables Smith, Looney, and Moslca on the night in question; and whether he stated at the police barrack that he made the report fearing a collision might take place between the intoxicated policemen and the Gaels, whom he alleged were insulted; and whether an inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the case, as to the alleged police offenders?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that Constable Moscal did not attempt to force his way into the room; he left at once when told he could not enter. As regards the second allegation, the policemen were mere spectators of the game, and were not interfered with; they made ordinary comments between themselves, but not in the hearing of the players. After the Secretary called at the barrack and complained that the policemen were disorderly (not drunk), the sergeant at once paraded the men and found them quite sober and correct. No other complaints were made by any one that the Gaels had been insulted.