§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has seen the reports in the Cork newspapers of 15th instant, of an occurrence which took place at Kanturk on the night of Saturday 13th instant, on which occasion Head Constable Horgan and a party of police endeavoured to enter forcibly the private grounds of the Rev. Father Collins, in spite of his protestations, and, on being prevented from entering by the gate, forcibly entered the premises by climbing over the boundary ditch; whether he has seen in said reports that the Head Constable and a police sergeant drew revolvers on the people assembled; and, whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will order an early inquiry into the conduct of the constables?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: It appears that on the night of the 13th instant the police at Kanturk followed a large crowd of persons which marched to the residence and grounds of the Rev. Mr. Collins, C.C., where it was understood a meeting was to be held. An altercation took place at the gate entrance between the police and Mr. Collins, who refused admission through the gate, but voluntarily gave the police permission to enter over the ditch, which they did. Upon the police entering the field the crowd assumed a very menacing attitude. Several of them were armed with pitchforks, and the officer drew his revolver and held it by his side.
§ MR. FLYNNasked, what information had the local Constabulary that there was any intention of holding a meeting on the occasion in question; and, also, where the right hon. and gallant Gentleman had derived his information as to the people being armed with pitchforks?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, with reference to the latter part of the Question, he derived his information from the officer who was in charge of the police, lie had not received notice of the former 1356 part of the Question, of which he must ask Notice.