HC Deb 13 August 1901 vol 99 c604
MR. DALY (Monaghan, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a public meeting was to have been held at Dromod, county Monaghan, on the 3rd instant, and that a local sergeant of police, named Sullivan, went through the neighbourhood cautioning the people against attending the meeting, and if he can state by what authority Sergeant Sullivan acted in this case.

MR. WYNDHAM

The police had reason to believe that it was intended to hold a meeting on the 4th, not 3rd instant, in close proximity to a certain holding at Dromod, and that if held at this place it would lead to a breach of the peace and would be an unlawful assembly. The promoters were accordingly warned that the meeting would not be permitted in the immediate vicinity of the holding in question. A meeting was held elsewhere, however, without interference.

MR. DALY

Who instructed the sergeant to take this action?

MR. WYNDHAM

That would be done on general instructions. It was done on the authority of the Government, and I accept full responsibility for it.

MR. FLAVIN

May any policeman warn any person he likes?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is a general question.

MR. FLAVIN

It is a very pertinent one, though.