§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland if he can state the number of persona "shadowed" and the number "watched" in Ireland for each or any of the three weeks ending 21st June?
§ *THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin UniversityIn answer to the question, I have to say that the number of persons in Ireland who are now permanently watched by the police in the manner which I presume is indicated by the word "shadowed" is, in all, 12. This applies to the whole of Ireland, and I must respectfully decline to give information with reference to any particular locality. As regards those who may be 308 so watched on particular occasions or at particular times and places, it would be difficult and, on the whole, inexpedient in the public interests to attempt to make any detailed statement.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Is there a category of persons casually "shadowed"?
§ *MR. MADDENThe hon. Member must know that certain persons are observed by the police at particular times and places.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)Are there not more than 12 persons who are being "shadowed" in Tipperary alone?
§ *MR. MADDENNo, Sir; not permanently watched.
§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman give the names of those who are "shadowed"?
§ *MR. MADDENNo, Sir. That would defeat the object for which the observation is carried on.
§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether any instructions have been issued to the Royal Irish Constabulary during the past 12 months respecting their action in relation to public meetings, evictions, the watching or "shadowing" of persons, and boycotting; and, if so, whether he will lay copies of such instructions upon the Table?
§ *MR. MADDENInstructions of the nature in question have been issued. But it would be contrary to the invariable practice of every Government to lay copies of them upon the Table or otherwise publish them. Such a course would be highly inexpedient in the public interest.
§ MR. JOHN O'CONNORI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. John Cullinan, of Bansha, County Tipperary, was summoned by Sheriff's order to attend as a juror at the Quarter Sessions held at Clonmel on the 23rd instant, and, on attending, was followed all day by Constable Gurry, who went into the Court when Mr. Cullinan entered it, and left it when he left, and travelled back by the same train, always keeping him under surveillance; and whether, inasmuch as Mr. Cullinan was obliged to answer the summons as a juror under a penalty of £50, he will explain how it 309 happened that he was shadowed by the police while obeying the summons of a Court of Justice?
§ *MR. MADDENThe circumstances under which Mr. Cullinan went to Clonmel were not known.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORAs Clonmel is more than 20 miles from Tipperary, where Mr. Cullinan was charged with boycotting, was it necessary to persecute him while he was engaged in the performance of his duty?
§ *MR. MADDENI have stated that the Police Authorities were not aware that Mr. Cullinan went to Clonmel in order to act as a juror.
§ MR. SEXTONIs this one of the 12 persons who are permanently shadowed wherever they go and whatever they do?
§ *MR. MADDENThe only further information in my possession as to Mr. Cullinan is that in 1881 he was imprisoned under the Protection of Person and Property Act; in July, 1888, he was imprisoned for unlawfully inciting to crime, and last year he was imprisoned in default of bail.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORIs it not the fact that on the last occasion the Magistrates declared that they could not find Mr. Cullinan guilty of the charge made against him?
§ *MR. MADDENI am not aware.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)Does the Chief Secretary propose to shadow everybody who was imprisoned in 1881?
§ No reply was made.