HC Deb 15 May 1884 vol 288 cc428-9
MR. LEAHY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to a report in the Dublin papers of May 6th, under the heading "Palmerstown Races"— The contest for the Bachelor's Plate, which took place in the first race, proved highly diverting, the gentlemen riding being, in accordance with the conditions laid down, all dressed in ladies attire. The appearance of the 'ladies' upon the scene was exceedingly ludicrous, and as they advanced together to the course their comic costumes, in nearly every case strikingly at variance with their gait, excited general amusement. The race was exceedingly comic, the fantastic appearance of the 'ladies,' some of whom rode side-saddle and some astride, causing the most intense amusement, which was greatly heightened by one or two mishaps in the way of falls which occurred during the competition; if he is aware that the neighbouring Catholic Clergy felt called on to denounce, the Sunday before the races, this matter, and to warn their people against going to Palmerstown; and if several members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were on duty, gate keeping on said occasion, by whose authority and at whose request they so attended, at whose expense the cars that conveyed them a long distance were paid for?

MR. TREVELYAN

The races referred to included an event which was intended, I suppose, to be comic, in which riders were dressed as women. I believe it is the case that the Roman Catholic clergyman at Kill spoke about these races, and advised his people not to attend them. With regard to the presence of the Constabulary, it is usual to have police present at race meetings. They attended on this occasion by the authority of their superior officers, to whom application had been made by the promoters of the meeting. The cars on which they were conveyed were paid for out of private sources, and it is not the fact that they were employed as gatekeepers.

MR. SEXTON

Is not the conduct described in the second paragraph an offence against the law?

MR. GIBSON

No, no.

MR. TREVELYAN

I have not been advised that it does constitute an offence.