HC Deb 13 March 1882 vol 267 cc743-4
MR. FITZPATRICK

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the statement in the "Daily Express," March 9th, That, on Monday night, a house on one of seven evicted farms, which are in charge of a small party of emergency caretakers, at Kilrush, near Thurles, county Tipperary, was set fire to and burned down by a mob of 700 persons. The head caretaker with difficulty restrained his men from firing on the incendiaries. The caretakers are, under the late rule, without police protection, and the alleged patrol system proved to be wholly unavailing in this case; whether a more efficient system of patrol can be established in that district; whether distinct official orders will be issued for the guidance of caretakers of the Emergency Committee and Property Defence Association, in regard to their right of firing in defence of themselves or of the property which they may have in their charge; and, whether, if they act strictly in accordance with such instructions, they will be held to have acted within the Law?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

There is no truth in the statement as given. There was no mob of 700 persons present, or a large mob of any kind, and no house in charge of caretakers was destroyed. A house was found to be on fire, and some neighbours, about 20, were seen assisting to quench the flames. We have reason to believe that the system of patrolling in the district was sufficient and efficient.

In reply to Mr. HEALY,

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that in the accounts of the outrages which had been published there were doubtless occasionally exaggerations; but he was sorry to say that in an enormous number of cases the accounts were neither exaggerated nor untrue.

MR. FITZPATRICK

said, that the right hon. Gentleman had not answered the Question whether an official order had been issued with reference to the right of caretakers to fire to defend themselves.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that but for the fact that the hon. Member was misled by the report he did not think he would have asked the Question. The Government did not think it necessary to issue instructions of any special character for such cases. Caretakers had the right of every Irishman and subject of Her Majesty to defend themselves, and if they acted within that right they would be held to have acted within the law.

MR. FITZPATRICK

inquired if they were entitled to fire in the defence of property they were protecting?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that caretakers in Ireland possessed neither more nor less than the ordinary rights of every citizen of the Empire.