HC Deb 04 March 1901 vol 90 cc394-5
MR. CULLINAN (Tipperary, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the series of outrages in the shape of house wrecking, robberies, and burglaries recently committed in Tipperary by soldiers of the Shropshire Light Infantry stationed there; whether any action was taken by the officer in command to prevent such conduct; and whether the persons suffering loss will be compensated by the Army Department.

MR. WYNDHAM

Two burglaries and a malicious injury to property were committed last month by soldiers belonging to this battalion in Tipperary. In each case the accused was arrested and committed for trial at assizes. Neither the officer in command nor the police anticipated such conduct, and no special steps were taken, therefore, to prevent it. The inquiry in the last paragraph should be addressed to my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War.

MR. CULLINAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the commanding officer took no steps to stop this series of outrages?

MR. WYNDHAM

One can hardly call two burglaries a series.

MR. CULLINAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the regiment has been transferred to Templemore, and that on arrival there the men smashed windows?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the question.

MR. FLAVIN

Are these men acting under the proclamation of Lord Roberts?