HC Deb 21 February 1901 vol 89 cc697-8
MR. M'FADDEN (Donegal, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the sergeant of police at Ballybofey, county Donegal, on 1st February last, called upon the publicans of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, county Donegal, and peremptorily ordered them to close their places of business during the next day, being the occasion of the late Queen's funeral, and by whose authority and under what Act of Parliament the sergeant acted.

MR. WYNDHAM

The facts are not correctly stated in the question. It appears that some publicans asked the sergeant of police whether they were required to close their places of business. The sergeant replied in the affirmative, but subsequently he saw his error and at once informed the publicans it was unnecessary to close. They opened their places of business as usual on the 2nd instant,

MR. J. P. FARRELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by what authority policemen in Edgeworthstown and Ballymahon informed publicans that the day of the Queen's funeral was a holiday on which they should not open their business places; will he give the names of the policemen who made these statements; and will they be reprimanded for their interference with the trades of these towns.

MR. WYNDHAM

I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No intimation of the nature mentioned was given by the police in either Edgeworthstown or Ballymahon.