HC Deb 28 June 1888 vol 327 cc1564-6
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that on Wednesday last, when the people were quietly and peaceably moving from the Dundalk Railway Station, where they had met the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon) and his friends, Mr. Cullen, Divisional Magistrate, ordered the dragoons and constabulary to stop the procession, and thereby caused considerable confusion and disorder, during which several persons were thrown down and injured; and, whether Mr. Cullen had received instructions from Dublin Castle to act in this way?

MR. NOLAN (Louth, N)

also asked, whether it was not admitted on all hands that the people of Dundalk and Louth were exceedingly peaceable and law-abiding people; that the crowd on this occasion were perfectly orderly, and largely composed of women and children; that being so, what was the object of an armed demonstration on the day against respectable men, women, and children; and he would also like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether it was not also true that a large number of people were injured in Dundalk on that occasion by police and military?

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

I do not know the circumstances referred to well enough to express an abstract opinion on the peaceableness of the Dundalk people. Mr. Cullen reports that he did not act in the manner described, and he had no instructions from Dublin Castle to do so. He is not aware that any persons were injured.

MR. M'CARTAN

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will hold an inquiry? I assure him that I heard Mr. Cullen using the words.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. NOLAN

Since the information supplied to the right hon. Gentleman differs entirely from that which was given in the Press, and stated by hon. Members of this House and other eyewitnesses, will he make a full and open inquiry into the matter?

[No reply.]

Subsequently,

MR. NOLAN

said, he hoped he would be excused for again asking the Chief Secretary what he was going to do with regard to what happened on the occasion of Mr. Dillon's trial? He had it on the best authority that a number of his constituents were ridden over by the dragoons and struck down by the police with their batons. Was the right hon. Gentleman going to let the matter fall to the ground because the incriminated person said these things did not happen? Would he grant an inquiry? He would also like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, was it a fact that the chief officer who had charge of the police on that occasion was the same who was gravely censured by the late Under Secretary for compounding a charge which was made against him of perjury and assault?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have not the slightest idea of what the hon. Member refers to in the latter part of his Question. As to the former part, I may remind him that the incidents occurred on the occasion of a very large gathering of people, at a time when a gentleman was being tried on appeal. On such an occasion it is absolutely necessary to take precautions, and it is almost absolutely necessary to disperse the crowd. Of course, that ought to be done, if possible, without injury to anyone. I am not aware, nor are the police aware, that any people were injured on this occasion; and if the hon. Gentleman is aware of it, I am very sorry.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W)

Is it not the function of a public highway to allow people to proceed quietly and unmolested?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Gentleman is now arguing a point, not asking a Question.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether it was not lawful for Mr. Dillon and his friends to proceed from the railway to the Court House without molestation?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That does not make it right to have a large concourse of people accompanying him in triumphal procession.

MR. T. C. HARRINGTON (Dublin, Harbour)

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman, is it not the fact that the large concourse of people were in town because it was a fair-day, and because they had business to transact?

MR. PICTON (Leicester)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there was any threatened disturbance to justify the attack on the people?

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, if in the necessary precautions for taking a prisoner for trial in Ireland is included the breaking of people's heads?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!