HC Deb 12 July 1869 vol 197 cc1665-6
SIR THOMAS BATESON

said, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the loss of life at Portadown on the 1st of July, For what period of time has Mr. Noonan, the officer who gave the order to the constabulary to fire on the people, filled the post of sub-inspector; whether he previously served in the ranks; how long has he been stationed in Ulster; and, of what county is he a native; and, whether it is not the fact that there are three justices of the peace resident in Portadown, or in its immediate vicinity, the house of one of them being close to the scene of bloodshed; and, if so, why the party of police, after returning to their barracks for their rifles, did not communicate with one of them previous to adopting such extreme measures?

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

said, in reply, that Mr. Noonan had been a sub-inspector for about two and a-half years; he had previously served in the ranks; he was a native of Kerry; and had been employed in Ulster since his promotion to the sub-inspectorship. There were three justices of the peace resident in Portadown; one of them, as he was informed, was a gentleman far advanced in years and infirmities. His information was that Sub-inspector Noonan had taken precisely that course which his hon. Friend appeared to suppose he had not taken. Before leaving the barracks with the armed patrol he did possess the presence and assistance of a magistrate; but, in some way not yet ascertained, the magistrate got separated from him before the unfortunate collision between the police and the people took place. He trusted the hon. Gentleman would not think it necessary to make inquiries of him as to further details of the occurrence, inasmuch as the judicial inquiry had not yet ended.

SIR THOMAS BATESON

As the coroner has adjourned the inquest, in order to attend to duties not connected with the coronership, I beg to ask, without pre-judging the question, Whether it would not be expedient to transfer Sub-inspector Noonan to some other district during the interval until the 3rd August, which is fixed for the resumption of the inquest?

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

It is really impossible for me to answer that Question, of which not even notice has been given.