HC Deb 11 May 1888 vol 326 cc39-41
DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that at the trial of Mr. Creedon, under "The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887," at Macroom, for an assault on a policeman named O'Shea, on the 8th of April last, no attempt was made by the prosecuting counsel to prove that the meeting out of which the said assault arose was an illegal and unlawful assembly; and, whether he will order an inquiry into the facts of this case?

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

I am advised that it was not necessary for the prosecuting counsel to prove the nature of the meeting. Creedon was tried not for taking part in an unlawful assembly, but for a cowardly and brutal attack on a police officer.

DR. TANNER

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether it is not the fact that Creedon was struck first by this man O'Shea, and, that being the case, if he was not justified in striking O'shea; if the meeting was not an illegal one—in other words, if the meeting was not an illegal one, was the policeman justified in striking him first?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I believe the hypothesis on which the hon. Gentleman founds his Question is an inaccurate one.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, has he seen the report in the Cork newspapers of this case, in which it is distinctly stated by evidence for the defence, and admitted in evidence for the prosecution, that in this case the policeman struck this man Creedon in the first instance, and that the apparent justification for so striking him was that the meeting was an illegal one?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not informed in reference to that.

MR. FLYNN

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have already given an answer on the subject.

DR. TANNER

Being an eye-witness of the occurrence, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman his authority for making the statement he has made in this case? I saw the assault committed.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Gentleman has asked for information, and I have given him the best information that I have at my command.

DR. TANNER

Can he give me his authority? I am perfectly aware that the right hon. Gentleman is making the best statement that he can on the subject; but I, at the same time, would wish to know his authority—if he is able, or not afraid, to give it.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is not the practice to name authorities.

DR. TANNER

Are you afraid to give it?

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

Order, order!