§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether complaints have reached him that at the last Fermoy fair, on Monday, the 5th instant, a number of cattle dealers and farmers were persistently followed by policemen all over the fair; if so, what is the object of this constant watching; and, in view of the complaints made by the parties that they cannot buy or sell their cattle on account of being so followed, whether suitable instructions will be given to the constabulary to desist from the practice complained of?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Contabulary Authorities report that no persons were watched by the police at he fair mentioned except those whom they had reason to know were endeayouring to boycott the sale of cattle belonging to so-called obnoxious persons. No cattle dealer was followed.
§ MR. FLYNNIn reference to the second paragraph of the question, will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether it is not possible to issue instructions to the constabulary to desist from the practice complained of in the case of persons engaged in the pursuit of their own legitimate business?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf these persons have been engaged in illegal transactions they must expect that disagreeable consequences may follow.
§ MR. JOHN O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is a fact that, on the 7th instant, in the town of Tipperary, Mr. Robert Paul Gill, civil engineer and architect, of New Tipperary, was accompanied by two policemen named Maddock and Gurry, who walked alongside of, and keeping step with him: whether Mr. Gill asked the policemen had they any business with him, and again would they persist in accompanying him in the same manner; whether Gurry said to Maddock, "Answer no more questions, we will do what we like," and continued to accompany Mr. Gill; and whether this procedure of the policemen is according to any special instructions to the police of Tipperary? I wish to supplement the question by another— whether a Roman Catholic priest in Tipperary has not also been followed in this way; and whether, when he goes TO fulfil his sacred function, he is not accompanied by the police, who walk by his side in the street, no matter where he is going, or for what purpose? Does such conduct receive the approval of the Government, and is it by their instructions? If he is unable to answer the question will he take a note of the particulars, make inquiries, and give a satisfactory answer?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that Mr. Gill is not under police supervision, but that he was accompanying Mr. Cullinane, who is.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Gill is an architect who is now engaged in superintending important building operations in New Tipperary; and is it fair that a professional gentleman should be so interfered with in the transaction of his ordinary business?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of the fact stated by the hon. Gentleman.