§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that Mr. Thomas Barry, of Killavullen, was arrested at Clondulane on last Tuesday for remonstrating with a policeman who had assaulted him, and whether, at the same time and place, a little girl was knocked down with the butt end of a rifle; whether a man named Corcoran was assaulted by Constable Bower and also by Sergeant Kelly, and subsequently arrested for telling another man "not to be afraid, they can't arrest you;" whether William Lane was also arrested, knocked down, and beaten; whether Mr. John Condon, after being arrested, received several serious wounds from a policeman named Black; and, whether, in consequence of the alleged repeated assaults by the police in the town of Fermoy, steps will be taken to prevent their recurrence?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Inspector General of Constabulary reports that the police deny having assaulted any of the persons named, or having knocked down a little girl or anyone else with a butt of a rifle. The arrests were made in consequence of the interference by these persons with the police when engaged protecting bailiffs who had made seizures for the county cess. Summonses have been issued, at the suit of the police, against each of the persons referred to.
§ DR. TANNERI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether Mr. John Condon, when arrested, was seriously injured inside the gaol, his head being knocked against the wall, in consequence of which he got three or four wounds, and is now under the care of medical men?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI gather from the statements of the police that they deny having injured anyone.
§ DR. TANNERWill the right hon. Gentleman, in the interest of the peace of the town, prevent these organized attempts at intimidation and murder by the police?
§ [No reply.]