§ MR. J. P. FARRELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any instructions were given to Sergeant O'Gara, of the Ballinalee police station (county Longford), to enter the dwellings of the residents in the townlands of Lisameen and Drumnacross and take down the names of the male members of each family, stating as he did so that if any outrage occurred in the district he would know whom to hold accountable for it; whether he authorised the police sergeant to act in this matter; and what steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of similar conduct.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) No such instructions were given. On June 18th, at 10 p.m. the sergeant observed five men entering a house at Lisemeen, and he followed them into the house to see who they were. He neither demanded nor took down the names of any persons, and said nothing about out-rages. On June 21st, between 8 and 9 1114 p.m. he visited, but did not enter, two houses at Drumnacross, to ascertain who lived there. It is the duty of the police to make themselves acquainted with the inhabitants of their districts. In none of these cases did the householders object to the sergeant's presence. I see no reason to interfere in the matter.