HC Deb 26 April 1888 vol 325 cc577-8
MR. D. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. If he has seen in The Freeman's Journal of Dublin the following telegram from District Inspector Hill from Ennis for "C. T." (Colonel Turner) to the District Inspector at Killaloe:— To District Inspector, R.I.C., Killaloe. Follow up successful police action of Sunday last, and permit no local League meetings to-day; disperse at once where force sufficient, and where insufficient note speeches and names of persons present. Wire all details immediately. Wm. O'Brien arrested yesterday. "HILL, D.I., for C.T."

Whether this telegram was forwarded, as alleged, by the direction of Colonel Turner in the exercise of his own discretion, or at the instigation of the Executive Government; and whether he can state what was meant by the "successful police action on Sunday," and for what purpose the news that "William O'Brien arrested yesterday" was conveyed to the District Inspector at Killaloe?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The telegram referred to was neither forwarded by the direction of Colonel Turner, nor does it purport to have been. The successful action referred to was obviously the prevention of the proposed holding of illegal meetings. I am not aware for what purposes the arrest was notified.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

Was the telegram forwarded at all?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Certainly; I believe it was.