HC Deb 04 March 1898 vol 54 cc624-6
MR. M. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he can communicate any further information to the House with reference to the attack made upon the people by the police in Westport yesterday, following certain proceedings in the Magistrates' Court?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

Yes, I have received the following further information as to what occurred on the occasion referred to— One O'Donnell and others were charged with having unlawfully assembled and intimidated a schoolmaster named Michael Duffy, with the view of inducing him to give up a glazing farm he held. The case was tried before the resident magistrate, and the offence was found to be proved against John O'Donnell, Thomas Moran, Patrick Cusack, and James O'Haire. They were ordered to enter into personal recognizances in the sum of £10 and to give two sureties of £5 each, or be imprisoned for four calendar months. The case against the other two defendants was heard, and they were discharged. Mr. Henn subsequently reduced the alternative of imprisonment to three months. The defendants refused to give bail, and warrants for their committal were made out. It was too late to send the prisoners to Castlebar by train, and two brakes were employed under an escort of 20 police. A bâton party of 50 police were held in readiness in the Court-house yard, and were brought out and drawn across the street to prevent the large crowd from interfering with the prisoners. The crowd cheered vigorously. After the brake left, the mob turned towards the town and commenced to groan. Mr. Cameron told them to cease, and that he would not permit disorder. This occurred in the vicinity of Lord Sligo's rent office. The sympathisers with the United Irish League in Westport had put up their shutters, and there were apprehensions that if the mob were allowed to march through the town, the windows of those who had not put up their shutters would be smashed. At the foot of Bridge Street the mob surrounded a party of police, hooting and groaning. The county inspector ordered the men to halt, and called upon the mob to cease, telling them if they did not do so, he would use strong measures. This was met by even more vigorous groaning and hooting from the crowd. The county inspector then directed the police to disperse the mob with their bâtons. The crowd ran, and the police were halted before they had gone more than 50 yards. The police were then broken up into patrols of ten men each, and were posted in different parts of the town. This had the desired effect. There was no window-breaking, and there were no further attempts at groaning or disorder. A few stones were thrown at the police, but injury was sustained in one case only. I may here say that I consider all the elements of a dangerous riot were present, and that the police did their duty on the occasion.

MR. DAVITT

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman justifies the action of the police in bâtoning people simply because they groaned on the occasion, and whether it is the fact that Duffy, who is alleged to have been intimidated, fired revolver shots from his house at a number of people in the street?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am not aware that Duffy fired revolver shots at the crowd in the street. I believe on the occasion when the offence was committed he fired a shot in the air, but not at the crowd, so far as I know. With regard to the first part of the Question of the hon. Member I have already stated that, in my opinion, there were present on this occasion all the elements of a dangerous riot, and it was necessary for the police to do as they did, and they acted properly.

MR. DAVITT

Was the Riot Act read by the officer in charge of the police? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the practice followed in England ought to be followed in that respect in Ireland?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is a matter of opinion, which does not arise out of the Question.

MR. W. REDMOND

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that groans are sufficient on the part of the people for the police to charge them?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is not a Question arising out of that which appears on the Paper. At any rate, it should be put separately if it is put at all.

MR. W. REDMOND

I will put another Question that will be in order—namely, would people be bâtoned in England merely if they groaned?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland Division)

Were any windows broken upon this occasion?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, Sir, happily not, and, I believe, entirely in consequence of the action of the police.

MR. W. REDMOND

Were there any heads broken by the police?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No; not that I am aware of.