§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, why the police prevented the fife and drum band of O'Callaghan's Mills playing on the 28th February; whether he can state why the number of police in this district of Clare has been increased recently; and why a large force was drafted into O'Callaghan's Mills on 11th March.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Inspector-General that the police did not prevent the band in question from playing until it reached a point, at a considerable distance from O'Callaghan's Mill, where it was feared that intimidation might result. Several months ago, the police force at O'Callaghan's Mills and Broadford stations was increased by three and two men, respectively, because there had been signs of trouble in those districts. An extra force of six policemen, and no more, was sent to O'Callaghan's Mills on Sunday the 11th March in order to prevent a recurrence of disorderly conduct which had occurred in the village on the preceding Sunday.