MR. O'KEEFFE (Limerick City)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it be true, as reported in the Press, that at a meeting held in the house of 340 Mr. Dennis M'Namara, in Ennis, on Tuesday last, to make arrangements for a demonstration to demand a public inquiry into the treatment of John Daly and other Irish prisoners in England, that a police sergeant interrupted the proceedings and took the names of those present; and, if so, by what authority the policeman in question entered this private house, and what, if any, was his legal right so to do?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The Constabulary authorities report that the meeting referred to was not held in a private residence, but in Mr. M'Namara's public house. The police had reason to suppose that it was an attempt to hold a meeting of the local branch of the National League, which was declared to be unlawful in that district. Upon being informed by one of the leading members of the meeting that such was not the case the police left the premises.
§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)May I ask how, not having a licence, Mr. M'Namara could have a licenced house?
§ [No answer was given.]