MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a gunner of the City of Dublin Artillery stationed at Linnenhall Barracks, Dublin, was ordered to take shamrock out of his cap by his superior officer on St. Patrick's Day, and for refusing to do so was threatened with punishment; will he state whether the man was punished; and, if so, in what way; and whether, seeing that about the hour that this occurrence took place soldiers engaged in trooping the colours in Dublin Castle Yard were the shamrock, as did also the Lord Lieutenant, he will see that this private soldier is not punished for his alleged offence?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe officer commanding the City of Dublin Artillery has reported as follows—
A man was ordered by a non-commissioned officer to remove shamrock from his cap; but on the man reporting the matter to higher authority he was allowed to wear it. He was neither punished nor threatened punishment.