HC Deb 24 May 1901 vol 94 cc1125-6
MR. COGAN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Thomas Kearon, who was recently sentenced at the Arklow Petty Sessions to a month's imprisonment for an assault upon a policeman, which arose out of a disturbance caused by the attempt to hold an open-air service in the main thoroughfare of Arklow near a public meeting which was held there on 5th of May; whether he is aware that the evidence given at the hearing of the charge disclosed the fact that the police under District Inspector Hughes formed a cordon across the street to prevent any person proceeding in the direction of the service, and that people were thus prevented from going home or to their church at the hour of divine service; also that the police in evidence gave Kearon a good character, and stated he was a peaceable man; and whether, having regard to the excitement of the occasion, he will consider the case with a view to recommending the shortening of the term of Kearon's imprisonment.

MR. WYNDHAM

Any representations in favour of mitigation of the sen- of imprisonment imposed upon this man should be addressed, in the usual way, to the Lord Lieutenant, by whom the matter will be considered.

MR. JOHN REDMOND () Waterford

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the circumstances of this particular case? Will he make some inquiry so that he may be in a position to give advice to the Lord Lieutenant? Is he aware that the disturbance arose from the acts of the Rev. Mr. Hallowes, who has been conducting the street preaching in Arklow, and whose attempt to interfere with a public meeting caused a disturbance which gave rise to a great deal of excitement?

MR. WYNDHAM

I am not aware-of the facts of the case, and it is for those who have knowledge of the circumstances to place them before the Lord Lieutenant, by whom the matter is usually remitted to me for comments and inquiry. It would not do for me to make a representation to the Lord. Lieutenant in the first instance.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

I will ask the right hon. Gentleman to make personal inquiry into the facts, so that when the representations laid before the Lord Lieutenant are sent to him he will be in a position to give advice.

MR. WYNDHAM

Certainly.