HC Deb 14 March 1898 vol 54 cc1510-1
MR. P. O'BRIEN

On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division, Dublin (Mr. W. FIELD), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the Irish Constabulary have greater legal powers than are exercised in Great Britain to suppress public meetings; (2) whether police and constabulary in Ireland are authorised without notice to charge a crowd; and (3) whether he will prevent such occurrences in future?

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

The powers of the police to interfere with public meetings, whether in Great Britain or Ireland, are common law powers applicable to both countries. If the question raised by the second paragraph is, whether it is necessary that the Riot Act should be read before the police disperse an unlawful assembly or quell a riot, the answer is in the negative. No instructions have been issued on the subject, nor are any necessary; but I may state it is the practice of the police, before taking action, to give notice of their intention to disperse an illegal assemblage, whenever it is possible to do so. By virtue of his position as a peace officer, a constable had full powers for restoring order and preserving the public peace, and it is his imperative duty to keep this object in view. The third paragraph hardly seems to require an answer.

MR. M. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)

In what way does the police inspector give notice to the people that he intends to bâton them?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I imagine that the question of the hon. Member has reference to what took place at West-port the other day. In that case warning was given by the police.

MR. DAVITT

In what way?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The only possible way: by word of mouth.