MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a report in The Cork Constitution of February 15th of a speech delivered at the Castletownroche Petty Sessions by Capt. Plunkett, divisional magistrate, with respect to the removal of the extra police tax from the parish of Monaning; whether he has observed that, Capt. Plunkett having stated that the man Hallissy, for whose protection the extra police tax was imposed, "was fired at in August," Mr. M. Hickey, one of the presiding magistrates, stated "it was not true that Hallissy was fired at," adding—
It was investigated here fully before Mr. Lanyon, district inspector of police, and Mr. Butler, B.M. and I think everyone who heard it denied he was fired at at all;whether Mr. Starkie, another of the presiding magistrates, stated that—There was no more peaceful district in Ireland until unfortunate Hallissy got up this business;whereupon Capt. Plunkett said—There is no doubt about what Mr. Hickey stated; but it will be recollected this tax was originally imposed on account of the boycotting of Hallissy, and there can be no doubt about 1597 that, whatever doubt there may he about the matter Mr. Hickey referred to;whether a public inquiry into the alleged firing upon Hallissy was repeatedly demanded and refused; whether Hallissy is the person to whom Capt. Plunkett, with the knowledge that Hallissy's story was discredited, proposed that the ratepayers should present £50 in consideration of the withdrawal of the police tax; whether, in view of the declarations made by Mr. Hickey and Capt. Plunkett, a prosecution for perjury will now be instituted against Hallissy; what are the special circumstances now, as compared with six months ago, which justify the withdrawal of extra police; and, whether, if then as now they could be withdrawn with safety, the ratepayers will be pressed for payment of the tax up to the 31st December last as a condition precedent to the withdrawal?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have seen the report referred to. Mr. Hickey was not present at the place where it is alleged that Hallissy was fired at, and therefore he cannot be considered to have done more than express an opinion. The Resident Magistrate's remarks as to the peaceful state of the district referred to a time long before the Boycotting of Hallissy. It was Mr. Hickey, and not Mr. Starkie, who expressed concurrence with his remarks on that subject. A public inquiry into the alleged firing at Hallissy has not been repeatedly demanded and refused. But whether the man was fired at or not, there is no doubt that he was assaulted and cruelly Boycotted, and required on that account the police protection which was given him. Captain Plunkett did not propose that the ratepayers should present £50 to Hallissy in consideration of the withdrawal of the police tax. A proposal was made in the district that £50 should be collected to enable Hallissy to emigrate. I have on former occasions stated that the proposal did not come from Captain Plunkett. With regard to the withdrawal of the police tax, the Lord Lieutenant was recently in the neighbourhood, and was presented with a Memorial praying for the revocation of the Proclamation, and His Excellency assented to comply with this prayer as soon as the tax up to the end of last year shall have been paid; but stated that if Hallissy should afterwards appear to be in danger the question of re-imposing 1598 the tax would be considered. It will thus be seen that His Excellency has only conditionally consented to the withdrawal of the police in consequence of the representations of a strong body of local persons who disapproved the Boycotting, and who, it may be hoped, will do their best to prevent it; and it remains to be seen if circumstances will enable him to carry out and adhere to his wishes in that respect. His Excellency would not feel himself justified in not requiring the fulfilment of the condition precedent as to the payment of arrears.
§ MR. HARRINGTONasked, whether Mr. Hickey was not present at the investigation into the firing at Hallissy; and whether he, the Resident Magistrate and Sub-Inspector, did not say there was not the least foundation for it; and, whether the Memorial to which the right hon. Gentleman referred was not signed by 13 persons, four of whom had since repudiated it; and, whether these persons included the four magistrates and two Earls who had signed a previous Memorial which the Lord Lieutenant had refused?
MR. O'BRIENAm I to understand that Captain Plunkett will deny the public report of what he said? There is no doubt that Mr. Hickey stated that everybody believed, who was present at the investigation, that what Hallissy stated was a fabrication; and I would like to know whether, in view of the declaration made by Mr. Hickey and Captain Plunkett, a prosecution for perjury will be instituted against Hallissy?
§ MR. TREVELYANCaptain Plunkett was the first person to recommend a charge of perjury against Hallissy. There can be no doubt whatever that the poor man was knocked down and persecuted.
§ MR. SPEAKERI wish to point out the inconvenience of the course now taken by the hon. Member. The hon. Member for Mallow put a Question, the hon. Member for Westmeath then put another Question, and the hon. Member for Mallow rose and put a rejoinder. These Questions cannot be answered without Notice.
MR. O'BRIENI respectfully submit that I am quite in Order, arising out of this Question, to ask the Chief Secre- 1599 tary to answer the part of the query that he has omitted to answer.
§ MR. SPEAKERI did not rise to object to the hon. Member putting the Question; but I say Notice should be given of it.