§ MR. P. A. M'HUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant 382 of Ireland whether he was aware that a meeting called by the United Irish League at Dromahair, County Leitrim, was proclaimed; will he give the name of the person on whose information the meeting was proclaimed, and the nature of his information; how many officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary were engaged in the attempt to prevent the meeting; what was the cost of the police arrangements; and would any portion of it be levied on the county of Leitrim.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The proclamation was based upon an information sworn by the Head Constable of Constabulary stationed at Dromahair, which was to the effect that having regard to the number and result of similar meetings previously held, to the state of the district and to the other matters therein mentioned, he had reasonable grounds for believing, and did believe, that the meeting would, if held, cause a breach of the peace and tranquillity of the neighbourhood, and would lead to boycotting and intimidation. A force of 150 men, under the command of the county inspector and three district inspectors, was engaged in preventing the meeting. The cost of the police arrangements in connection with the enforcement of the proclamation is estimated to amount to £107, about £10 of which will be levied off the county.