§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention 637 has been directed to a prosecution of several policemen by the Mayor of Cork, when it was given in evidence that the Mayor was surrounded and prevented proceeding by policemen with drawn swords and fixed bayonets, and that, having explained that he was the Mayor of Cork, was answered by the police—"I don't care to the devil who you are;" whether, at the order of District Inspector Pearson, the Mayor was subsequently permitted to pass, but was again stopped at North Gate Bridge, and treated by the police with considerable violence; whether it was sworn that cordons of police were upon the occasion referred to stationed at various points in the City of Cork, preventing by force of arms the citizens of Cork proceeding on their lawful business; whether it is true, as stated in the Cork daily papers, that the magistrate, Sir D. V. O'Sullivan, who delivered judgment, said—
That, taking into consideration the serious consequences of a criminal conviction to Sergeant Kennedy, &c., the Bench had determined to dismiss the case;and, whether, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such scenes in future?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.), in reply, said, that as the Question had only appeared on the Paper that morning, he was unable then to answer it.
§ DR. TANNERI will put the Question down for this day week.