§ MR. JAMES O'KELLY (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the date of the alleged outrage on the house of Mr. Maginnis, near Boyle, county of Roscommon; how soon after the alleged occurrence was it reported to the constabulary; when did the police commence their inquiries, and how many were engaged in them; how many police are stationed in the Boyle district; whether any report on the subject and, if any, what report, has been made by the police; and, if not, whether he will state when such a report may be expected.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe date of the alleged outrage was the night of. July 11th. The occurrence was reported to the police at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 12th, and they at once commenced their inquiries under the supervision of the local police officers. Forty-four police are stationed in the Boyle district, which is an extensive one. I hope to receive a special report as to the occurrence in a day or two.
§ MR. HAYDENIt is exactly twenty days since the case was reported to the police. Does it take forty policemen three weeks to find out that this, as everybody in the district knows, is an inaccurate report?
§ MR. WALTER LONGThere are not forty policemen engaged on the inquiry;; there are forty policemen in the district, which is a very wide one. To the best of my belief, no time has been lost in making the investigation, and my sole desire is to publish the facts directly I receive them.
§ MR. HAYDENHow many men are engaged on the investigation of this sham and bogus outrage?
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDThree weeks have lapsed since this accusation was published in the papers alleging a serious outrage. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it really occurred at all?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI am expecting the special report to-morrow. I desire the facts to be made known.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDDo you not know the facts now?
§ MR. HAYDENHow many men are engaged in investigating this alleged outrage? Has the right hon. Gentleman received any report at all?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have said inquiry is being made and I am expecting the report to-morrow. If the hon. Gentleman believes it to be a bogus outrage, surely I am doing what he desires in having the matter thoroughly investigated.
§ MR. HAYDENMay I ask the hon. Member for the Altrincham Division of Cheshire on what information he based his original Question on this subject?
§ * MR. SPEAKERA Question of that kind is not permissible to a private Member.
§ MR. HAYDENThis is a serious matter to us. It was alleged there was a fight lasting five hours, and that one man, at least, was wounded. We want to find out from the hon. Member who gave circulation to the slander if he has made any inquiries as to whether it is true or false.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat Question cannot be put to an unofficial Member.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDBut surely it would be in order for an hon. Member who had been the innocent means of circulating a false statement to make a personal explanation.
§ MR. DISRAELI (Cheshire, Altrincham)I am awaiting the report of the Chief Secretary just as anxiously as hon. Members opposite.