HC Deb 04 July 1890 vol 346 cc810-1
*SIR JOHN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.)

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that a printed notice appeared in Tipperary during the day of the 24th June, containing a list of names of persons to be boycotted, in which that of an old woman named Clifford was included: and that on the same night in a back lane close to New Tipperary, lime was thrown over this old woman, and at a later hour her house was attacked by a mob with stones, the lower windows being destroyed, and she herself being injured with stones; and whether any arrests in connection with this assault have been made?

*MR. MADDEN

I am informed that it is the case that on June 24 a printed notice appeared in Tipperary containing a list of persons to be boycotted, and that in this list an old woman named Clifford was included. Also that it is the case that on the night of that day lime was thrown over the old woman, in a back lane situated within a few yards of the part of the town called "New Tipperary," and that, later in the night, her house was attacked by a mob with stones, all the windows smashed, and her goods in the lower part of the house destroyed, she herself also being injured by being struck with stones. No arrests were made, and the woman states that she is afraid to make an information and to prosecute.

MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork, N.E.)

If all this is true why have no arrests been made?

*MR. MADDEN

No arrests have been made because the old woman stated that she was afraid to give information.

MR. FLYNN

In what infirmary was the old woman treated?

MR. W. O'BRIEN

Is it not the fact that at this moment there is not a single person boycotted in the town of Tipperary; the last person boycotted having made his peace with the National League?

*MR. MADDEN

I have no such information before me. I never said the old woman was treated in an infirmary. I said she was struck with stones and injured.

In reply to a question by Mr. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.),

*MR. MADDEN

said: I have already stated that the woman was assaulted with stones.

MR. FLYNN

On what authority does the right hon. and learned Gentleman give this information to the House?

*MR. MADDEN

From the usual sources of official information.

MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

As this old woman refuses to give information, cannot the right hon. Gentleman put in operation the Star Chamber Clauses?

[No reply.]