§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why the police under charge of the county inspector whilst attending near Doonbeg, county Clare, on the 11th inst., to prevent a breach of the peace between the owners of land and employees of the railway company, whom the former believed to be illegally interfering with their property, identified themselves with one of the parties to the dispute, and with force drove back the people from the assertion by lawful means of what they are advised to be their legal rights.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe farmers on the occasion mentioned assembled with pitchforks, sticks, and stones, and their attitude was violent and threatening. The assertion of a civil right, even if it existed, in such a manner was illegal and could not be permitted with any regard to the preservation of the public peace, No force was used by the police in restraining the crowd.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask whether, suppose I propose to do something illegal, you will send a police force to prevent any one interfering with me.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt depends entirely on the circumstances.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Had not the farmers a perfect right to assemble on their own land to prevent trespass?
§ [No answer was returned.]