§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, 14th April, a mob of about 2,500 persons, many of them armed, assembled at Elphin, with five bands and demonstrated round the grazing farms; whether he is aware that the object of this demonstration was to intimidate the occupiers of the farms; whether he will state how many police were present on this occasion; and whether they took or intend to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLOn the occasion in question about 2,500 people with five 874 bands assembled at Elphin and proceeded to Shankill, about one and a-half miles distant, where a meeting was held and speeches delivered against the eleven months grazing system. There was nothing to show that any members of the crowd were armed. There are many grazing farms in the district, but the crowd did not demonstrate round them. Twelve policemen were present at the meeting, and an extra force of nearly sixty men were held in reserve in case their services might be required. The police reported that the speeches were not violent, and that no particular persons were denounced. No necessity arose for the interference of the police, and it is not intended to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. LONSDALEWas not the object of this demonstration to intimidate certain people?
§ MR. BIRRELLI can say nothing more than that the police have reported that no intimidatory language was used. The speeches delivered were against the eleven months grazing system.
§ MR. LONSDALEDoes the right hon. Gentleman assert that the sole object of the Question is to misrepresent and malign Ireland in the eyes of the English people?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Will you not suggest to the hon. Member he should express his regret for making unfounded charges?
§ [No Answer was returned.]