HC Deb 18 February 1884 vol 284 cc1176-8
MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been directed to the following letter, which appeared in The Dublin Daily Express of January 16th, in reference to the death of the Orangeman, Samuel Giffen, who was wounded by the police at Dromore, county Tyrone:— Sir,—I beg to enclose an order for £1 towards the fund being raised for the family of the first man in 1884 who fell in the execution of his duty to his Sovereign and his Country. Your obedient servant, J. J. O'F. GARMICHAEL FERRALL, Captain, R.N. Augher Castle, Augher, county Tyrone, January 14th 1884; whether the author of this letter is a Justice of the Peace for the counties of Longford and Tyrone; and, whether the Government intend to take any action in reference to this matter?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

said, that before the Chief Secretary answered this Question, he would like to ask, as showing that the assumption that Giffen was a "rioter" was contrary to the facts, whether it was not proved at the inquest that when Giffen was stabbed that he was going in a direction contrary to that in which the Nationalists were; whether the surgeon did not swear that it would require the full strength of a man to effect the wound by which the body of the unfortunate man was nearly perforated; whether any person except the Loyalists received a wound that day; whether the Crown Solicitor did not refuse to examine the official witnesses who were present in Court; whether the jury at the inquest was not constituted of 11 Roman Catholics and 11 Protestants; whether a strong minority was not in favour of the returning of a verdict of murder; and, whether, under those peculiar circumstances, it was intended to punish a man for expressing sympathy with Giffen, and contributing to the maintenance of his family? He dared say the right hon. Gentleman would require time to answer those Questions categorically, and he would postpone the matter if the hon. Member for Westmeath did the same. ["No, no!"]

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I am perfectly prepared to answer the Question of the hon. Member for Westmeath without reference to the Question put by the noble Lord. As regards the Question of the noble Lord, I would say that the best course to adopt would be to lay the evidence taken before the Coroner on the Table of the House, and and let every hon. Member read it for himself. The views of the Government on the whole transaction I stated at very great length in my speech the other night. As the hon. Member does not postpone the Question, I am prepared to answer it, believing that I can do so without any discourtesy to the noble Lord. I think the expressions contained in the letter quoted are very improper, coming from a magistrate who, by virtue of his office, should refrain from saying or doing anything to shake public confidence in his impartiality; but I do not think the matter of such grave importance as to call for any action on the part of the Government. ["Oh, oh!"] I am bound to say that if in the case of the Wexford riot, with regard to which inquiries were made in this House last Session, or if in the case of the Ballyraggett riot, which was analogous, such a letter was written, I should not consider it worthy of notice.

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been directed to the following letter which appeared in The Dublin Daily Express on or about the 17th of January, in reference to the death of the Orangeman, Samuel Giffen, who was wounded by the police at Dromore:— Sir,—I beg to enclose a cheque for £1 for the Dromore Fund (Giffen's), who died in the cause of loyalty to his Queen and Country, and shall he much obliged if you kindly insert this letter in your paper. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, L. F. S. MABERLEY. Waverley Terrace, 173, Strand Road, Merrion, 16th January 1884; whether the author of this letter is one of the "Clerks in Charge" in the Surveyor's Department of the General Post Office, Dublin; and, whether the Government intend to take any action in this matter?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the Irish Government has no jurisdiction whatever over Post Office officials, and I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the Postmaster General in this case.

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

Well, I beg to give Notice that on Thursday I will question the Postmaster General on the subject; and arising out of the Question just put by the noble Lord (Lord George Hamilton), I will ask whether it is not a misuse of terms to call the Orangemen Loyalists?