§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Murphy, landlord of the Crown Hotel, Castleisland, County Kerry, was recently fined £2, in consequence of there having been, on the 24th April, on the balcony of his hotel a piece of calico with the words "God save Ireland" thereon; whether such prosecution was at the instance of the Irish Government; whether such prosecution was made in virtue of s. 8 of c. 38, 6 & 7 Will. IV., which enacts (inter alia) that on no occasion or pretence shall any flag, symbol, colour, or decoration be hung out of licensed premises, except the accustomed sign: and, whether this law has been, or is to be, universally enforced throughout Ireland?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: This publican appears to have been fined as stated. He had positively refused to remove the banner when directed to do so, and said that he would take the consequences. The prosecution was at the instance of the police, and under the provisions of the Statute quoted. This law has been enforced, and no doubt will continue to be so wherever and whenever the preservation of the peace demands it.