§ MR. KENNYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will state the reason why Police have been instructed to intrude themselves on meetings of the Kilrush (county Clare) Branch of the Irish National League; if he will state the special circumstances which have called for similar instructions to be addressed to the Police at Miltown Malbay, in the same county; and, if he will state what general directions (if any) have been given to the Constabulary throughout Ireland with regard to attending such local indoor meetings of the National League?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, he had not yet received the Report from Dublin Castle as regards this matter.
MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, on the occasion of the National League meeting in Charleville, a policeman forced his way into a private room of 1010 the hotel where three Members of Parliament were being entertained at dinner at the expense of the proprietor of the hotel; whether the constable stated that he would not give any information as to his business until threatened with expulsion from the room; whether the proprietor of the hotel and some townspeople, who, at his invitation, joined his visitors at dinner, were subsequently fined for their presence on the occasion; and, whether this action on the part of the police was authorized or approved by the Irish Executive; and, if not, upon whose instructions it was undertaken?
§ MR. TREVELYANNow, here I come to a Question which only appeared on the Paper yesterday. I always find hon. Members ready to postpone Questions; but I wish they would, if possible, anticipate that requirement by placing their Questions on the Paper some few days a-head. It is extremely important that Questions should be answered by letter, or paper, or Report, and not by telegraph.
§ MR. TREVELYANI have made inquiries in this case by telegraph; but I do not think it is altogether a case of fact, and I should like to make fuller inquiries.