§ MR. LANE (Cork Co., E.)asked the Chief Secretary- to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen a copy of the following letter, which was addressed by Dr. Charles Ronayne, J.P. (the only magistrate living in the town of Youghal) to Mr. Kerin, the District Inspector of Youghal:— 729
Dear Sir,—I am just after coming from the death of a fine young man, who was stabbed by a policeman. I went to the barracks to sec who was in charge of the police, and to inquire what circumstances produced the sad business. I found there a number of strange police, and a young officer, Mr. Somerville, who assumed the responsibility of having ordered the charge that caused this young man's death. Now, as I have taken great pains for the past 24 hours to preserve the peace in this usually quiet town, and as I am of opinion that there was not the least danger to apprehend any public disturbance, and as I am afraid that it was the advent of these new men led to this calamity, I desire to know from you, as the Residing District Inspector, under what circumstances they were brought or sent here.—Yours faithfully,8th March, 1887. CHARLES RONAYNE;whether this magistrate had been taking a very active part for some days previously, in co-operation with the Catholic clergymen of Youghal, in allaying the excitement caused by the threatened arrest of the Reverend Father Keller; why the police authorities ignored him by not consulting him as to the necessity of bringing a force of strange police into Youghal; and, whether the preservation of the peace of Youghal has been transferred from the magistrates of Youghal to the police officer?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Report on this subject was only called for yesterday, when the Question appeared. It has, of course, not yet been received.