§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I wish to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that a court martial was held recently in Cork barracks on a private of the Welsh Regiment and two privates of the 4th Hussars who were charged with participating in a procession at Youghal in celebration of Father Kennedy's release, when cheers were given for William O'Brien, and who were sentenced, the infantryman to five months' and the Hussars to four months' imprisonment; and under what military law was the act of the soldiers said to be a breach of discipline?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEThe soldiers referred to were convicted on the 11th inst., by a district court martial of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, under section 40 of the Army Act, 1881, in having taken part in a demonstration and procession of a political character at Youghal, and in having behaved in a disorderly manner. Soldiers are distinctly forbidden by the Queen's regulations from taking part in any political demonstrations.
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)Arising out of that answer, I should like to ask, as these men were convicted for having taken part in a demonstration, whether it is not a fact that certain officers and soldiers recently took part in an Orange demonstration at Enniskillen and were not convicted?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEI have no knowledge on the subject. It might be that there was no evidence upon which they could be convicted.
§ MR. W. REDMONDI would remind the right hon. Gentleman of the question I put on the paper as to officers, 540 non-commissioned officers, and men being unquestionably present at—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member will put the question down in the usual way.