§ MR. BYRNEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that one of the rules of the Literary, Musical, and Dramatic Association, established at Enniscorthy, county Wexford, at the end of last year, is, "That nothing of a political or sectarian nature be discussed at any of its meetings, or on its premises;" that the said Association embraced within its roll of members men of different classes, creeds, and political leanings; that it had permission from George C. Roberts, esquire, J.P. to hold its meetings in the Market House, Enniscorthy, subject to the non-political and sectarian condition; that a meeting was publicly announced, to be held about the 20th December last; whether it has been brought to his knowledge that, previous to such meeting being held, the sub-inspector of police (Mr. Innes) informed the chairman that the proposed meeting could not be held, and, should it be proceeded with, he, the chairman, would incur great risk; that he had already gone far enough, too far for his own safety; and that if he did not want to 995 go to Kilmainham he had better drop the business, or he would find himself there before long; whether he approves of such conduct on the part of the police; and, if such proceedings had his sanction?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he understood that political subjects were not introduced into this society. The Sub-Inspector denied having used the language attributed to him.
§ MR. HEALYwished to know whether, in a case where complaint had been made against the police, the Chief Secretary had ever ordered an independent inquiry to be made?
§ [No answer.]