HC Deb 14 June 1888 vol 327 cc108-9
MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that the following cases of police interference with, and intimidation of, street newspaper vendors have occurred in the City of Cork—namely, Denis Desmond (young lad), who refused to sell to a policeman a copy of United Ireland, arrested by Sergeant Kennedy, and detained for a short time in Bridewell; Denis M'Carthy (young lad), refused to sell a copy of The Cork Examiner to Police Sergeant Power, arrested by Sergeant Power, taken to the Bridewell, and detained there for some time; John Radley (young lad), refused to sell a copy of United Ireland and Cork Examiner to policeman, arrested by Sergeant Power, taken to Bridewell, and detained there for some time; Cornelius Coakley (young lad), arrested for refusing to sell to policeman a copy of United Ireland and Cork Examiner, by Sergeant Power, taken to the Bridewell, and detained there for some time; Patrick Bradley (young lad), arrested under circumstances similar to the above by Sergeant Power; Patrick Carleton (young lad), refused to sell a copy of Cork Herald to policeman, arrested by Sergeant O'Leary, and lodged in Bridewell for some time; Michael Murphy (an old man of 70), he refused to sell a copy of The Examiner to policeman on beat, and the policeman kicked the old man's box about, scattered his papers, cuffed the old man, and warned him against selling the newspaper; and, whether, in view of these occurrences he will order an independent inquiry into these matters?

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

Sir, I am making special inquiries into the cases; and if the hon. Member will put the Questions on Tuesday next I will try to give him an answer.

MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked whether, when the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary made his speech at Battersea on the 16th of May, he was unaware of the circumstances there detailed, which took place in December last.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It has yet to be proved that the circumstances did take place.