HC Deb 12 August 1901 vol 99 c438
MR. HAVILAND-BURKE (King's County, Tullamore)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, 28th July last, an attempted meeting in support of the United Irish League at Rhode, in King's County, was ordered to disperse by Sergeant O'Dea, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, without any legal cause or warrant; and whether, in Ireland, it is within the discretion of any local police sergeant to determine, without having received any official instructions, whether a public meeting shall or shall not be held.

MR. WYNDHAM

An exaggerated report of the incident referred to appears to have reached the hon. Member. The sergeant did not disperse the meeting, or attempt to do so. A small crowd assembled near the post office to the obstruction of persons passing to and from that building. The sergeant requested the individual who was addressing the crowd to move to the other side of the street; he did so at once, and continued to address the people without interference.

MR. HAVILAND-BURKE

Is it not the case that where this alleged obstruction took place there are not two dozen houses, which are scattered at intervals, and that the crossway is very broad? Was not the interference of the police sergeant totally uncalled for?

MR. WYNDHAM

I think the police sergeant did a reasonable thing in a reasonable way.