HC Deb 13 August 1883 vol 283 cc249-52
MR. O'BRIEN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a blacksmith named Hallissey, in the Monanimy Division of the Mallow Union, has been under the protection of six policemen since September last; whether the cost of the extra police force, amounting to over £200, has been levied off the ratepayers of that division; whether the ratepayers challenged a sworn inquiry into the alleged attempt to shoot Hallissey, undertaking to prove that his story was a concoction; whether the inquiry was refused; whether Mr. Plunkett, special resident magistrate, on the 30th July wrote a Letter, threatening to enforce payment of the arrears of Police Tax, and to retain the police at the expense of the parish, unless within a few days the ratepayers subscribed £50 to enable Hallissey to emigrate, and promising, if the money were forthcoming, that he would use his influence with the Lord Lieutenant to relieve the parish of the Police Tax; whether the threat has induced the ratepayers to subscribe the money necessary to influence Hallissey to leave the Country; whether Mr. Plunkett's Letter is an offence against the Intimidation Clause of the Crimes Act; and, whether the Government will take any action in reference to his conduct?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the district mentioned has been proclaimed as stated for the protection of a blacksmith named Hallissey. Whether he was fired at or not, he was cruelly "Boycotted" for a long time; his danger was admitted by many persons, and there could be no doubt whatever of the necessity for affording him protection. The proposal to collect a sum of £50 for the purpose of enabling him to emigrate was first made some time ago. It did not emanate from the Special Resident Magistrate as stated, and I believe the parish priest has the matter in hand. I am unable to say whether Captain Plunkett wrote a letter on the subject on the 30th of July. I have made inquiries, but have not yet been informed.

MR. O'BRIEN

Whoever may have initiated the proceedings, is the House to understand that Captain Plunkett, or any other official, has authority to levy under threat any amount of black mail he chooses for the benefit of a private individual?

MR. HARRINGTON

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, I beg to give Notice that I shall ask him on Thursday, Whether a communication was sent by the Private Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant stating that Captain Plunkett was in communication with certain persons in that district with reference to the emigration of this man?

MR. TREVELYAN

Captain Plunkett was in communication with the parish priest; but that is the only person.

MR. O'BRIEN

In consequence of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give Notice that I will on Thursday ask, Whether the following is a copy of the letter written by Captain Plunkett to the parish priest:— Dear Sir,—I have received your letter. I hope that the necessary amount may be raised in order that Hallissey may be in a position to emigrate, as I understand he is anxious to do so. If this is done, I shall recommend His Excellency to remove the proclamation, and thus relieve the parish of the Police Tax. But as long as the authorities consider that protection is necessary the police will remain at the expense of the parish. Should you be able to get the necessary amount in a few days, I will use my influence to have as much as possible of the arrears for which warrants will shortly issue struck off; but this will not be able to be done after the warrants issue? I will also ask whether the following letter has been addressed by the Chief Secretary to a magistrate in the district who applied for the remission of the Police Tax:— I am to add that His Excellency understands that arrangements are now in progress by which the necessity for the protection of Hallissey will cease; and on learning that such arrangements have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. His Excellency will direct the withdrawal of the additional force? I will also ask what these arrangements were, by what legal authority they were entered into, and whether it is the law that any ruffian in the community, by making himself obnoxious to his neighbours—[" Order!"]——

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is now making a speech.

MR. O'BRIEN

I am giving Notice of a Question, Mr. Speaker, which is, whether any person who makes himself obnoxious to his neighbours can in this way have a handsome subscription made up for him?

MR. HEALY

I also beg to give Notice that I will move a special Amendment to the Tramway and Emigration Bill, providing for the emigration of Mr. Hallissey at the expense of the tax-papers.

MR. HARRINGTON

I beg to give Notice that at the same time I shall ask whether at the time that the Lord Lieutenant and Captain Plunkett were in communication about the emigration of this person, at the expense of the locality, they had in their hands a special fund with which to pay the cost of his emigration?

MR. TREVELYAN

I do not see anything that calls for remark in what has happened, nor does it disclose anything inconsistent with official propriety. But when a man is publicly called a ruffian who has made himself obnoxious to his neighbours, I am bound to say that the offence of this man was that he worked for a "Boycotted" person.

MR. O'KELLY

Are we to understand that the Government authorized this system of black mail?

MR. HEALY

Assisted emigration.

MR. O'KELLY

The brigands of the Treasury Bench.