HC Deb 22 March 1888 vol 324 cc29-30
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Sergeant Noble, of the Quinn Police Barrack, County Clare, has been looking for the site of a police hut, wherein extra police are to be placed, within sight of the priest's residence; whether the regular County Force consists of 549 men and nine officers, or about one to every 280 of the population; whether this Force is sufficient to carry out the law; and, for what purpose is it proposed to quarter extra men in sight of the priest's house?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said Sir, I am informed that the sergeant referred to did look for a site for a police hut at a place which happens to be within view of the priest's residence; but that circumstance had nothing whatever to do with its selection. The nominal County Force consists of 549 men and nine officers, or about one man to every 257 of the population. The portion of the Force available for Quinn and its neighbourhood has recently been obliged to be frequently strengthened by sending extra police there to suppress illegal meetings; and to obviate the necessity and expense of sending these men the Divisional Magistrate has been considering the question of quartering a reserve force in the locality, which will be chargeable therewith.

MR. DILLON

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the House, whether any illegal meetings have been held in that district; and, whether any crime or outrage has recently taken place in the district?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

Illegal meetings have been hold—or are reported to have been held—in the district.

MR. DILLON

Do I understand the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to say that because meetings have been reported to have been held extra police have been sent in? I would remind the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that he stated to me in this House, only a fortnight ago, that these reports would not be accepted as evidence that the meetings were held.

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

The evidence we have is statements that meetings have been held; and that meetings will be held, no matter whether extra police are brought in or not.