HC Deb 17 June 1890 vol 345 cc1141-3
MR. LEAKE (Lancashire, S. E., Radcliffe)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is true that large bodies of constabulary assaulted with batons and chased the people of Tipperary Town on Sunday 25th May, without previously giving them authoritative notice to disperse, and although no resistance was offered or attempted; whether it is true that on the same day Colonel Cadell, R.M., referring to Father Humphreys and the honourable Members for East Mayo, East Tipperary, Mid Tipperary, South Gal way, and South Louth, who were conferring together, gave the orders to the police: "Men, draw your batons," and "Charge, and clear these fellows out;" whether it is true that similar assaults on the inhabitants, many of whom were women, were committed in Boherlahan village in the presence of Mr. Bruan, R.M., and at Cashel, in the jurisdiction of Mr. Shannon, R.M., and in both cases without any preliminary request to disperse being made by the proper authority; whether it is true that on Mr. Bruan entering Cashel at the head of a body of military and police, he was publicly addressed by Mr. Shannon in the words, "Bravo, Bruan! we have bátoned them like hell in Cashel to-day," and whether he will consider the advisability of separating the magisterial from the police functions of the Resident Magistrates in Ireland?

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

I am informed the people were not dispersed without previous warning. With regard to Mr. Bruen, previous notification was given. The statement as to Colonel Caddell that gentleman completely denies. Mr. Shannon likewise denies that he used the language attributed to him. I quite agree with the last part of the question, and I shall take care that arrangements are made even more effective than those now existing.

MR. LEAKE

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman takes the denial of the Magistrates mentioned, rather than the statements made by eyewitnesses and ear-witnesses, and by hon. Members in their place in this House?

MR A. J. BALFOUR

Those Magistrates were eye-witnesses and ear-witnesses of the facts.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

Will evidence on oath be received if tendered; or does the right hon. Gentleman prefer to take the simple word of Magistrates who are themselves incriminated?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I should like to know the circumstances under which the evidence on oath would be tendered.

MR. GILL (Louth, S.)

Five hon. Members agree in making a statement. Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that sufficient for an inquiry?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. The grounds for an inquiry on oath are not so simple as the hon. Member seems to imagine. I am strictly following precedent.

MR. GILL

Is the word of Colonel Cadell to be taken in preference to the word of five hon. Members?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Colonel Caddell is a man in everyway worthy of credence.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

If four or five affidavits are laid before the Government, will the right hon. Gentleman order an inquiry on oath?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no power to order an inquiry on oath.

MR. SEXTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Constabulary Code provides for an inquiry?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

For a Departmental Inquiry. If sufficient evidence is placed before me which, in my opinion, justifies a Departmental Inquiry, that may be held; but I will give no antecedent promise on the subject until I see the nature of the evidence.

MR. LEAKE

Is the House to understand that the very explicit words alleged to have been used by Mr. Shannon are due to the imagination of the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon).

MR. GILL

Does the Chief Secretary consider the words of five Members of this House worthy of the same credence as the words of Colonel Cadell. Does the right hon. Gentleman desire to imply that they are not worthy of consideration?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir; I do not.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is it customary for Resident Magistrates to exercise judicial as well as executive functions?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is perfectly true that any Resident Magistrate may be called upon to exercise judicial as well as executive functions; but he does not exercise a judical function in regard to the same services and transactions as he exercises an executive function. The two functions are divided.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Does the right hon. Gentleman call a baton charge an executive function?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Certainly, Sir.