§ MR. DOLAN (Leitrim, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a case of police violence in Dromahair, county Leitrim; is he aware that when the Drumlease fife and drum band approached the village on the 1st instant they were met by about a score of police, who refused to allow them to enter; that when they were asked by Mr. Rooney to give their authority for blocking the public road, they would not give any authority; that Mr. Rooney was wantonly batoned by a policeman whilst negotiations were proceeding, with the result that a riot was precipitated, and that it was only the efforts of the local clergy that prevented a serious row; and will he take steps to prevent the possibility of such an occurrence in the future.
§ (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The information which I have received from the police authorities upon the subject of the Question does not agree with that which has reached the hon. Member. Proceedings at the suit of the police have been directed against several persons in connection with the disturbance in question, and it would be contrary to practice and undesirable that I should enter into the matter while those proceedings are sub judice.