HC Deb 01 April 1886 vol 304 cc441-2
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, at a meeting of "Loyalists" held in the City of Cork on Friday, 27th instant, Mr. Robert Walsh, T.C., on applying for a ticket of admission, was stabbed in the face with a sword-cane, and was wounded so severely as to necessitate his being conveyed to the infirmary for surgical treatment; whether he has seen a report of the proceedings on that day in The Cork Herald, in which the following sentences occur:— Though no resistance was offered and the attack was altogether on the part of the Orangemen, one of them deliberately drew a revolver and blazed away through Cook Street, firing three shots, and dancing through the streets like a raving maniac. But this was not all; another of the lot drew his revolver and cried out to a solitary man in the street, and when the latter did not choose to accept the challenge of an armed lunatic, the latter said he was a coward; whether it is a fact that the police made no effort to discover or arrest the persons who displayed the sword-cane and revolvers, but made several charges with batons on the people, and beat many unoffending citizens, who were quietly walking home; that they continued these attacks on the people until the mayor of the city interfered and checked the police in their career; and, whether, should any other similar meetings take place in the South of Ireland, he will take such steps as may be necessary to compel the police to take a proper sense of their duty by refraining from assaults on the people, and by making some efforts to arrest and prosecute those who display firearms and sword-canes?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

I am informed, Sir, that Mr. Walsh had a ticket for this meeting, and was allowed to enter the hall, but being recognized before he had entered the room he was turned out. There was a scuffle when he was ejected, and he sustained a cut lip. No sword-cane was used, nor did Mr. Walsh obtain treatment at the infirmary, so far as the police have been able to ascertain. No harshness was used towards the crowd when the Loyalists were retiring; but two shots like those of revolvers were heard, and the officer in command sent some constables and patrol men in the direction the sounds came from, with orders to investigate the matter. Before they had proceeded very far, however, the patrol were met by the Mayor, who directed them to return. I should add that it was when things looked threatening that the Mayor attended, and at the request of the District Inspector.

LORD ERNEST HAMILTON (Tyrone, N.)

I should like to ask whether any collision that occurred was not occasioned by a crowd—which, according to The Daily Herald, numbered 5,000 people—who, while the National Anthem was being sung inside, insulted the passers by?

MR. JOHN MORLEY

I do not, I am afraid, possess local knowledge enough to answer that Question.