HC Deb 19 March 1885 vol 295 c1694
MR. SMALL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a large number of police was on Sunday the 1st March brought from various parts of the county of Down to Newcastle and Ballynahinch, under the command of several resident magistrates, and kept there under arms a considerable time; whether he can state what number of men, resident magistrates, &c. were engaged in this expedition, the purpose for which they were brought, and at whose instigation; whether the entire district was not very quiet on the Sunday in question; and, whether it is intended to levy the expenses of the expedition off a district in which there was no necessity for it, or in what other manner?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The police were assembled on the requisition of local magistrates in view of an apprehended disturbance. They were all of the county force, and any extra expense involved will therefore fall on the Constabulary Vote.