§ MR. BLANEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the reason why a body of Constabulary, armed with rifles and bayonets, made a raid in the night on the house of John Harkins, of Middletown, county Donegal, burst in the doors, and turned the inmates out of bed; and if other houses in the district were dealt with in a similar way?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that it is the case that a few nights ago the house of Harkins and other houses were visited by the police in their search for certain persons charged with complicity in the murder of District Inspector Martin, who are still in hiding. No doors were burst open and no inmates were turned out of bed. The police did not succeed in making any arrests.
§ MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)Did he police act with or without warrant?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am afraid I cannot answer that question.
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I have a question upon the paper on the same subject. Is it true that every house was searched between Middletown and Dunleevy, a distance of nine miles?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI rather think it is true.