§ ME. REDMONDasked, If it is a fact that on December 4th 1881, Sub-Inspector Pattison and a body of police forcibly burst open the door of a private room, where a children's meeting was being held, in Castlecomer, co. Kilkenny; that Sub-Inspector Pattison ordered the children to go out or he would "forcibly disperse them; "whether it is a fact that every weekly meeting of the Ladies' Land League held in Castlecomer is attended by the police, although the objects of the Society and the names of its leading members are well known; and, whether these proceedings on the part of the police have the sanction of the Government?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)I am informed that a meeting was held at what are known as the Land League Rooms in Castlecomer, with the object of forming what was called a Children's League. The doors were locked, and the police, believing the meeting to be of an illegal character, required admittance. On refusal, they forced the door open and called on the meeting to disperse, which it did. Two policemen, pursuant to their directions, attend the weekly meetings, and it is the fact that the objects of the League and the names of the leading members are pretty well known.
§ MR. REDMONDIs it a fact that it was a meeting of children?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)No, Sir; the meeting was one of children and adults.