HC Deb 29 May 1894 vol 24 cc1526-7
MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland upon what authority and for what reason a meeting for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Irish National League at Kilfenora, County Clare, was dispersed by the police on Sunday last; whether he is aware that this meeting was one of a series called by placard for the distinct purpose of establishing the National League; and, if so, whether the meeting was a legal one; whether any notice was given by the police before the day that the meeting would not be allowed; and whether, if another meeting be called in Kilfenora to establish the League, the police will be ordered to again interfere?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY, Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

I am informed that the placards convening the meeting at Ballykeale, near Kilfenora, on Sunday, the 20th instant, were not posted up in the locality until the morning of that date. These placards were to the effect stated in the question, and did not disclose any illegal object. The decision to prevent the jueting at Ballykeale was arrived at, however, on the night of the 19th instant, and before the appearance of the placards, and because it was believed that one of the purposes for which it was about to be held was the denunciation and intimidation of the occupants of an evicted farm at Ballykeale. The decision of the Local Authorities in this matter was supported by a notice in the public Press, which stated that the object of the meeting was to denounce a case of land-grabbing in the locality. The County Inspector states that it was late on the night of the 19th instant that he saw the announcement in the newspaper, and that he could not therefore give notice to the promoters of the meeting until the following morning, which was done.

MR. W. REDMOND

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to state the name of the paper in which he saw the announcement?

MR. J. MORLEY

I have it not in my mind just now.

MR. W. REDMOND

Having regard to the statement of Mr. Patrick O'Brien, who was the principal speaker at the meeting, that he was not aware of any land-grabbing in the neighbourhood and that he wished to attend the meeting in order to establish a branch of the National League, will the right hon. Gentleman allow a meeting to be held for the purpose of establishing a branch of the League?

MR. J. MORLEY

There has been no interference with meetings held for the purpose of establishing branches of the National League or any other body since August, 1892.

MR. W. REDMOND

If I call a meeting of my constituents for the purpose of establishing a branch of the National League and discussing the position of the Government will the right hon. Gentleman order it to be dispersed?

[No answer was given.]