HC Deb 24 June 1889 vol 337 cc557-8
MR. CAREW (Kildare, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Head Constable M'Donald, on 1st June, visited the shop of Mr. John Quinn, baker, of New bridge, county Kildare, and in an interview with Mr. Quinn, demanded to know why he bad refused to supply bread to a woman named Mrs. Myers, a publican in the same town; that Mr. Quinn, in reply, produced his books and showed that the woman mentioned owed him for previous supplies money which he could not get her to pay, and added, that under such circumstances he could not continue to deal with her, and that, notwithstanding this explanation, Head Constable M'Donald told Mr. Quinn that it was a case of boycotting, and that he would report the matter to Colonel Forbes, R.M.; would he state by what right M'Donald put the question mentioned to Mr. Quinn, or tried to compel him by threats to deal with Mrs. Myers; and whether the Government have sectioned such interference by their agents with the right of individual citizens to deal with whom they like?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The Head Constable reports that, in consequence of a statement made to him by Mrs. Myers, he had a private interview with Mr. Quinn, who voluntarily produced his ledger, the Head Constable telling him at the same time that he did not want to see it. He did not say to Mr. Quinn that it was a case of boycotting; nor did he mention the name of Colonel Forbes, or any other official; neither is it true that he used any threats, or tried in any way to compel Mr. Quinn to deal with Mrs. Myers, nor did he interfere with the business of Mr. Quinn in the slightest manner. The Head Constable considered it his duty to make the inquiries, as he was aware that Mrs. Myers was being subjected to annoyances by members of the Irish National League for having supplied goods to caretakers on evicted farms. With regard to the last question, the chief object of the Government is to preserve the rights of individual citizens. Quinn is a member of the Irish National League. The Head Constable was satisfied from the interview that it was a private trade transaction between Quinn and Mrs. Myers.

MR. SEXTON

Had the constable the right to ask a shopkeeper the question why he did not deal with any particular person? Have we reached such a point in Ireland that the police can report a shopkeeper for not selling goods to a customer who is owing him money?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I understand that no threat was used by the constable. The woman complained of being boycotted, and as far as I understand the constable made inquiries, and found that it was not the case. There the matter ended.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.)

Did he not threaten to report Mr. Quinn to the Magistrates?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I understand that that was not the case.

In reply to a question by Dr. KENNY (Cork, S.),

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said that the constable had made no complaint at all.

MR. CLANCY

Was not the man charged with the offence of boycotting?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If the man bad been charged with an illegal offence it would have been a case for a Court of Law.