HC Deb 26 February 1890 vol 341 cc1253-4
MR. CAREW (Kildare, N.)

I desire to ask the right lion. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Monday last 12 policemen at Clongorey turned four workmen out of Mrs. Kelly's premises; whether, when clearing the premises, the constable in charge used the following words:—"We have dangerous weapons, and must use them even to shoot;" and whether instructions have been given to the police to shoot; whether he is also aware that on the following day (Tuesday) armed emergency men entered Mr. Kelly's yard, and refused to leave, though requested by the owner to do so; whether the polios in charge, instead of protecting the women, arrested eight workmen who were engaged on the premises; and whether he can state by what authority emergency men, armed or unarmed, can enter upon premises in the legal possession of the owner?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)

The Constabulary Authorities report that on Monday 10 policemen turned three persons out of Mrs. Kelly's premises. The allegation in the second paragraph has no foundation. Paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 being down without previous notice, time has not admitted of my obtaining a local Report.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

I wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman contended that the police were entitled to use violence because they anticipated that the precept would be disobeyed? I also desire to know whether the right hon. Gentleman has ascertained that the precept was not duly served upon either the occupier or the workmen, and that the whole of the arrests were illegal; and whether he has discovered since the debate that the police in breaking into the dwelling-house acted without a warrant, and that, consequently, their action was in the nature of a, burglarious entry?

MB. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no ground for believing that the action of the police in making the arrests was illegal. As the hon. Member's last question relates to a point of law, perhaps he will place it on the Paper, and address it to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland.