MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland (1) whether it is in accordance with regulations that the Dublin Metropolitan Police should make a baton charge without an order from the senior officer in command; (2) whether notice should be given to the people or the Riot Act read before such a charge is ordered; and, (3) whether any compensation is allowable to the women who suffered from the consequences arising out of such a charge.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIn my right hon. Friend's absence I will reply to this question. No baton charge is made without direction from the officer in command of the police party. Incase of a riot, when an attack is made on police, as was done oil the occasion to which this question refers, the duty of the police is to disperse rioters, arrest ringleaders, and to use such force as is necessary for the purpose, no notice being required against actual rioters, and the Riot Act is not read. The reply to the third paragraph is in the negative.