HC Deb 18 March 1889 vol 334 c12
MR. MAC NEILL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant whether it is a fact that Sergeant Mahony, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, issues passports to the inhabitants of Gweedore, of one of which the following is a copy: "Pass—Signed, Owen Mahony, Sergeant, R.I.C.;" under what authority is Sergeant Mahony empowered either to give or to withhold permission to the inhabitants of Gweedore to go or come in pursuance of their lawful avocations; and is it a fact, as stated in the Derry Journal of March 4th, 1889, that Sergeant Mahony, R.I.C., is arresting and discharging at will peasants in Gweedore, and that he and certain other members of the constabulary have fired on persons flying through bogs to escape being hurried off as handcuffed suspects to gaol, &c.?

*MR. MADDEN

explained that Sergt. Mahony had given the documents in question to certain persons to save them from inconvenience. It is not true that Mahony was arresting and discharging at will peasants in Donegal.

MR. MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Blackburn, at the present moment in charge of a detachment of the Irish Constabulary, recently presented a revolver at the head of a man?

*MR. MADDEN

That question does not arise out of my answer.

MR. SEXTON

Are the police entitled to limit the freedom of the Irish people by issuing passes? Where do they get their authority?

*MR. MADDEN

I stated in my answer that no officer of the Irish Constabulary has power to limit the freedom of the people by issuing passes. In the case of two persons passes were given to show they were free from suspicion.

MR. SEXTON

Does it not follow that other persons in the district were suspected?

*MR. MADDEN

No, Sir.