HC Deb 19 April 1883 vol 278 cc617-8
MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the action of the constabulary in Loughrea, in threatening persons engaged in the collection of money for the purpose of obtaining a fair trial for prisoners now confined in Galway Gaol; and, whether the opinion, expressed by the police that such a collection of voluntary subscriptions subject to indictment under the Crimes Act was authorised by the authorities?

MR. BIGGAR

also asked, Is it a fact that at Loughrea the police have warned Mr. M'Clennan, P.L.G. that if he continues to collect money to defend prisoners, he will be prosecuted; and, if the fact alleged is true, will he be good enough to state under what Law has an offence been committed?

MR. TREVELYAN

This is a serious Question, as it relates to a locality where very serious events have occurred. The House is aware that within a period of one year eight deliberate murders were committed in the neighbourhood of Loughrea. A movement, I am informed, has lately been started there by persons strongly suspected of being members of a secret society for purposes of murder, and who have been in prison on suspicion of murder, for the purpose of collecting funds for the defence of all persons arrested and charged with crime. It was resolved to make a house-to-house collection about the country; and it is believed that the terror exercised by these persons is such that the farmers dare not refuse, although unwilling to give the money. The fact of such men demanding money is of itself intimidation when made to defenceless farmers. Michael M'Clennan, one of the collectors, was warned by the police to desist upon the foregoing grounds.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that the intimidation of which he speaks exists only in his own imagination. ["Order!"] I wish to ask him, if a single farmer in the locality has complained of being intimidated by persons engaged in the collection of this money; and I would ask him, further, whether the collections were not usually made by ladies, who could not be supposed to intimidate farmers?

MR. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir; farmers have complained of being intimidated.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

By the collectors of this fund?

MR. TREVELYAN

They have complained of being intimidated, and they are anxious that this collection should not go on. The state of Loughrea is probably worse than any other district in Ireland, and the measures that have been taken there are the very minimum of what are required for preserving the peace of the district.