§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention 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 from 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 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 885 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.)I am informed that two policemen, not several, as alleged in the Question, were prosecuted by the Mayor of Cork on the occasion referred to. The expression attributed to one of the police was neither heard by the District Inspector, who was in charge, nor was any complaint made to him in regard to it. The Mayor was encouraging the driver of his car to break through the body of police who were on duty. He was prevented by these men, who did not know him, as they had been drafted in from the county; but the District Inspector at once let him pass through. At North Gate Bridge some 14 cars arrived close after a police escort, and among them the Mayor's car. The Mayor was allowed to pass through. There were no men stationed anywhere to prevent the people passing on their ordinary business; but to prevent a procession of cars from following a prisoner and his escort. I have seen no authoritative report of the proceedings before the magistrates; but they dismissed the charges against both the policemen.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has seen the reports in the Cork papers of the prosecution by the Mayor of Cork of two police constables (Constable Booth and Sergeant Kennedy) for assault and obstruction, committed on the occasion of Father Kennedy being conveyed to Cork Gaol; is he aware that the Mayor was refused the names and numbers of the constables on duty at North Gate Bridge, where the alleged assault took place; and, whether the Constabulary authorities are justified in withholding the names or numbers of policemen charged with assault by the magistrate of the city?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The District Inspector of Constabulary reports that it is not the case that the Mayor of Cork was refused the names and numbers of the constables on duty at the place mentioned. He asked for the name of one constable, specifying simply his number. The District Inspector said that he did not know at the time what constable bore that number; but referred him to the County Inspector. Upon application to him the name was at once furnished. As a matter of fact, it was proved that the constable referred to was not on duty at North Gate Bridge.