§ DR. FOX (King's Co., Tullamore)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. 317 Mercer, R.M., ordered the police to attack a peaceable gathering of people at Tullamore on the 23rd ultimo; whether two men named Vickers and Byrne were injured so as to incapacitate them for work up to the present time; and, whether District Inspector Carter ordered the arrest of a young man named Burke, because he remonstrated with the police for attacking a young child?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.), in reply, said, the Resident Magistrate reported that on the occasion in question three prisoners were being removed from the Railway Station to prison, when a large and disorderly crowd assembled, and endeavoured to force their way, along with the prisoners and their escort, into the prison inclosure. The Resident Magistrate thereupon directed the police to drive them back. The two men named appeared to have received some injury, though not of the serious nature alleged. District Inspector Carter did not order the arrest of Burke, nor was any attack made upon a young child.
§ DR. FOXIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the two men who were injured were confined for two weeks in the County Infirmary; and is it not a fact that he has received his Report from the very men incriminated.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman is aware that the only available information at the disposal of the Government is that furnished by their officers in Ireland; and it, therefore, hardly rests with the hon. Gentleman to object to these gentlemen.
§ DR. FOXConsidering that the statement read by the right hon. Gentleman has been contradicted by most respectable witnesses, will he grant an inquiry into the conduct of the police on that day?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI will be happy to receive any statement the hon. Gentleman may put forward.