§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether information has reached him that on Tuesday night last, the 14th February, in the City of Cork, a local band, on returning from accompanying the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Cork (Mr. Lane) from the Great Southern and Western Station to his residence, was charged and batoned and their instruments smashed by a body of police under Sub-Inspector Creagh, and that one of the bandsmen, Alexander McCarthy, was so seriously wounded that he had to be immediately removed to hospital; whether another member of the Barrack Street Band, after having been knocked down by a 861 baton blow, was kicked by the police in the head and face while lying insensible on the ground, inflicting such serious injuries that his life was considered by the medical gentleman under whose care he was placed to be in danger; whether this is the third attack which has been made upon local bands in Cork for having, in response to the request of the citizens, played in the streets of the city upon the release of Representatives released from imprisonment under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act; and, whether an inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the case, and similar occurrences in the future be prevented? The hon. Gentleman also asked, Whether it was not a fact that the drummer was knocked down, and another policeman deliberately kicked him whilst on the ground, breaking his upper jaw; whether another man sustained a severe fracture to the base of his skull, and his life has been in imminent danger since; whether upwards of 30 people were not seriously wounded by the police; and, also, whether at the North Infirmary, where the policemen would be treated if injured, not a single policemen was brought for treatment?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: With regard to the Questions which are not on the Paper, I can give no information. In reply to those which are on the Paper, I have to say that the Constabulary Authorities report that the occurrences referred to arose out of a riotous assault on the police, at whom a volley of stones was thrown as the band, accompanied by a large crowd, passed, the stone throwing being kept up for half-an-hour afterwards. The police charged with batons, when some of the instruments were broken. McCarthy did not go to hospital. He received a bruise on the right side from a fall, which he states he got when running away from the police. Another member of the band was seriously injured, and the doctor stated he could not pronounce his life out of danger; but he has not alleged that he was kicked by the police. Several constables were struck. Two of them are under medical treatment, one suffering from concussion of the brain. Bands have not been interfered with, as alleged. Whenever it is proposed to 862 prevent any demonstration as likely to lead to a breach of the public peace, the bands are invariably warned beforehand. The occurrence in question was due altogether to a most unwarrantable attack on the police.
§ DR. TANNERsaid, that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman had not answered the third portion of his Question, as to how it was that if the stone-throwing continued for half-an-hour none of the police had to be treated at the infirmary? He also wished to ask, whether this was not the third time those wanton attacks had been made on the citizens of Cork by an infuriated constabulary?
§ [No reply.]
§ DR. TANNERintimated that he would repeat the Question.
§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork, W.)asked, was the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that one of the injured men stated to him (Mr. Gilhooly) that a policeman knocked him down and kicked him?
§ [No reply.]