§ MR. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on Sunday the 16th ultimo, Sergeant Blair and Constable Shea, of the Hill Street Sub-District, entered the room in which the members of the Aughrim (county Roscommon) Branch of the Irish National League were engaged in holding a meeting, and, being requested by the president and secretary of the meeting to withdraw, or else to produce their authority for remaining, the sergeant replied that he was acting 136 on his own responsibility, that he would not leave except removed by force, and remained with his attendant constable until the close of the proceedings, despite the protest of the members present; whether the sergeant had instructions from his superiors to insist on remaining at the meeting; whether he had instructions to demand, as he did from the secretary, a list of the members of the Branch; whether it was under instructions from his superiors that he went to the wife of the man from whom the room was rented, and told her she was exposing herself to great danger by giving the use of the room to the members of the Branch; and what notice will be taken of the sergeant's action?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, he was informed that the presence of the police at that meeting was not objected to. The sergeant stated—"If I am required to withdraw I will do so;" and after a consultation amongst the members present the secretary stated that he might remain, which he accordingly did. He had no instructions to persist in remaining, and he did not do so. He had no instructions to demand the names of the members; but in meeting the president on the road he asked him, had he many members? He did not make use of any such phrase as was alleged in the Question. The circumstances appear to call for no further notice.
§ MR. LYNCH (for Mr. SMALL)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Under whose orders does Constable M'Hugh attend the meetings of the Davidstown (county Wexford) branch of the National League; and, is this the same constable who has made charges against men under his orders which were found to be ungrounded?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe constable attended the meeting by the desire of his superior officer, and his presence was not objected to. It is not the case that this constable made charges against two of his men which were unfounded. Two years ago he reported two men under his command for an offence for which they were cautioned by the Inspector General.