HC Deb 10 July 1902 vol 110 cc1381-2
MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 1st July, whilst Philip Dunn, of Shanakill, was cutting hay on a farm from which he had been evicted two years previously, he was arrested by Sergeant Smith and two constables acting on the instructions of the steward of the property; can he state whether these policemen had any warrant for Dunn's arrest; is he aware that Dunn was kept in custody for over seven hours, and subsequently taken before a magistrate who immediately discharged him; and if it is shown that Dunn was wrongfully arrested, will steps be taken to offer him any compensation or apology for his detention by the constabulary.

MR. WYNDHAM

The steward cautioned Dunn against cutting the hay. He refused and became very violent. The sergeant, fearing a breach of the peace, arrested Dunn, who was armed with a scythe. He was taken before a magistrate as soon as possible and discharged, to enable the landlord to take proceedings. There are no grounds for awarding compensation to Dunn, as suggested, and no grounds for an apology by reason of his detention.