§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that flags draped in mourning, and suspended 314 from the Mechanics' Institute, Limerick, as a mark of respect for the memory of a deceased member of the Institute, were, on Wednesday, 25th June, seized by the police and carried off to their barracks at William Street; can he state upon whose authority the police acted, and for what reasons were these flags taken from the windows of the Institute; will he state whether they were returned, and, if so, for what reasons and whether, having regard to the condition of the city of Limerick, he will take steps to prevent a repetition of such action.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe two black flags were removed by the police early on the morning of Thursday the 26th June under a misapprehension, which is much regretted, of the object with which they had been displayed. The police at once returned the flags when informed they were emblems of mourning.
§ MR. JOYCEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent a repetition of such conduct on the part of the police?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI do not think any are necessary. Their action in this case is deeply regretted.