§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lori. Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that Mr. Thomas Barry, P.L.G., Mallow Union, was assulted by a policeman at Kanturk Railway Station on the 4th instant, who dragged him violently from a railway carriage, and wrenched his arm; why did the head constable, who was present, refuse to give the name of the constable; and is it a fact that when Mr. Barry again demanded the name of the offending constable at Banteer Station, he was threatened with violence, and filthy expressions used towards him by the constable in question?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURFrom the constabulary report received it appears that no assault was committed on Mr. Barry, and that the occurrence arose out of an attempt on his part to prevent two constables from entering the railway carriage. The head constable states that he did not refuse to give the constable's name; but as the constable had done nothing wrong, so far as he had seen, he asked Mr. Barry what he wanted the name for. The train at once moved off, and the matter ended there. The constable denies the allegation in the question that Mr. Barry asked his name at Banteer, or that he threatened Mr. Barry with violence or used filthy expressions. But he adds that Mr. Barry was most offensive towards him.
§ MR. FLYNNHave the Constabulary Authorities instructed the head constable in view of legal proceedings to give the constable's name to Mr. Barry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am unable to say.
§ MR. H. J. WILSON (Yorkshire, W. Riding, Holmfirth)Am I to understand that the head constable did not give the name?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs a matter of fact, I understand the name was not given.
§ MR. FLYNNAre the Constabulary Authorities aware that Mr. Thomas Barry, P.L.G., Mallow Union, is constantly followed by policemen, whether on his private or public business, and is prevented from transacting his private affairs by the constant proximity of these constables? Are these constables authorized by their instructions to interfere with Mr. Barry by thrusting themselves between him and persons with whom he may be engaged in conversation; and, why is this gentleman exposed to such treatment?
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that the local police have reason to believe that Mr. Barry is engaged in the unlawful practice of endeavouring to prevent the sale of cattle in connection with evicted farms, and also that he had been named by Mr. William O'Brien, M.P., as a proper agent in organizing on the Kenmare estate the illegal association known as the Plan of Campaign. The police have, therefore, in the discharge of their duty watched his movements. They deny that they have prevented him from transacting his legitimate private affairs.
§ MR. FLYNNMay I ask whether in this case instructions will at any rate be given to the Constabulary not to interfere with Mr. Barry, when in the discharge of his own private business?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThey deny that they have in any way interfered with him in such a case.