HC Deb 27 March 1884 vol 286 cc877-8
MR. BIGGAR (for Mr. LEAMY)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the constables who attended a Committee meeting of the National League at Knockamore, county Waterford, on the 16th of this month, refused to leave the house in which the meeting was held when requested to do so by some members of the Committee, and stated that they were instructed to remain until they were removed by force; whether they had been so instructed; if so, by whom; and, whether the Irish Executive approves of such instructions?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I have already stated that the police entered without opposition the place where the meeting was held, and remained there because the owner of the house raised no objection to their presence. They were acting under the instructions of their superior officers. Both constables distinctly deny that they stated that they would not leave unless turned out by force. They would have left if requested by the owner of the house.

MR. SEXTON

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether the Irish Government will not, to prevent the struggle about these meetings, issue general instructions to the Constabulary that they are not to remain at the meetings when requested to leave; and, if special instructions are given with regard to particular meetings, that they shall produce those instructions when called on to do so?

MR. BIGGAR

The right hon. Gentleman did not answer the last paragraph of the Question.

MR. TREVELYAN

I answered, on previous Questions with regard to the general attitude of the Irish Executive in this matter, that they do not wish the police to attend the meetings of the National League unless it is considered very necessary by the officers in charge of the peace of the district, and in such cases the matter is communicated to the Executive; but the burden of it rests with the officers.

MR. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any guarantee, if the police are ejected by force, that the persons who eject them will not be prosecuted under the Prevention of Crime Act?

[No reply.]