§ MR. SEXTONasked the Solicitor General for Ireland with reference to the issue of passes by the police in certain districts of Donegal, and the statement that persons are not molested when found without such passes, whether he was aware that Patrick Curran, Magheragallon, and Connell M'Bride, Ardnagappary, were arrested by the police whilst engaged at their work in gathering seaweed, and having been detained until the tide had washed away the seaweed, were then released, and police passes given to them; that Charles Gallagher, of Ardnagappary, and his son, on their way to their work as fishermen, were challenged by the police, and called upon to produce passes, and not being in possession of passes, were prevented from going to their work; and, what is the meaning of these proceedings?
§ *MR. MADDENThe Constabulary authorities report that it is not the case that either Patrick Curran or Connell M'Bride was arrested by the police while engaged in their work of gathering seaweed at places in Donegal, or that they were detained until the seaweed had been washed away. On the contrary, they were merely questioned for a few moments by some of the police, and, at the men's own request, were given passes by Head Constable Mahony. Charles Gallagher and his son were not prevented from going to their work so far as the police are aware.
§ MR. SEXTONIs it not a fact that people are liable to be stopped by the police and asked whether they have passes, and if they have not passes that they are liable to be arrested?
§ *MR. MADDENNo, Sir; I do not gather anything like that from the information I have.
§ MR. O'HEA (Donegal, W.)Is it not a fact that persons following their ordinary avocations have been arrested 392 and placed under surveillance and espionage, and that passes have been given by policemen to persons to enable them to go to the market town on their ordinary business?
§ *MR. MADDENI have no information leading to any such conclusion.
§ MR. SEXTONI must press the question. This district is in a state of war. I must ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to clear the matter up, and to state under what circumstances these passes are given and what is the position of persons who have no passes. What questions were put to the men by the police?
§ *MR. MADDENI have given all the information I have received for the purpose of answering the question. As to the general allegation, that persons are unable to pass along the road without passes, I am informed it is without foundation.
§ MR. O'HEAUnder the impression that we are living under a British Constitution, I ask the hon. Gentleman why the liberty of the subject is encroached upon to such an extent as to supersede the right of travelling along the Queen's Highway?
DR. CAMERONMay I ask whether, as Mr. Wilson (Member for Holmfirth) has been shadowed by detectives, the Government will be good enough to-order him to be supplied with a police pass?