§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sergeant Frizelle, of Frenchpark, county Roscommon, on Saturday evening last prevented a local band from practising on the public road, and threatened that in the event of their doing so he would not allow them to practice in future; and, if so, will be state whether the sergeant has any power to enable him to adopt such a course.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe sergeant had reason to believe that the object of the band on this particular occasion was to promote an unlawful demonstration in respect of a farm which adjoins the public road. In this belief the sergeant remonstrated in a friendly manner with the bandsmen and they at once desisted. In reply to the second part of the Question, no hard and fast rule can be laid down; every case must be considered on its own merits and having regard to the circumstances of the moment.
§ MR. HAYDENasked by what authority the sergeant acted in this manner.
§ MR. WYNDHAMreplied that some one must be the judge as to the steps to be taken to prevent a breach of the peace. It was a difficult duty to discharge and he understood that in this case the band made no demur.
§ MR. MURPHY (Kerry, E.)But the charge is that the sergeant threatened to break the big drum unless his orders were obeyed? Why should he be allowed to act in that manner?
§ MR. WYNDHAMMy information is that he remonstrated in a friendly way.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Are we to understand that in future sergeants in the Royal Irish Constabulary are to be the sole judges whether or not a band shall be allowed to play in public?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat is not the question at all.
§ MR. FLAVINIt is.
§ MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)Would it be remonstrating in a friendly manner to break the big drum?
§ [No answer was returned.]