HC Deb 17 February 1908 vol 184 cc452-4
MR. HAZLETON (Galway, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether on Sunday night last at about ten o'clock, Mr. Thomas O'Donnell, county councillor, and two other persons were arrested and brought to the police barracks in Tuam; whether they were detained without a warrant in the barracks all night, and until four o'clock the following evening; whether the police authorities twice refused the request of Mr. Glynn, solicitor, to have a local magistrate, three of whom were available, sent for to take the depositions in the case; whether it was only after the police had failed in their efforts to secure the attendance of resident magistrates from Ballinrobe and Loughrea that they consented to allow a local magistrate to act; and if so, can he state what is the explanation of this action on the part of the police, seeing that all that was required was to get a justice to give a remand to petty sessions.

MR. CHERRY

On the night in question, a crowd of about 200 persons with torches and drums surrounded the house of a man at Ballytrasna, near Tuam, with the obvious intention of intimidating him. A force of police from Tuam were proceeding to the place when they met a party of the men shouting and beating drums, of whom they arrested three, namely, Mr. O'Donnell and two other men, at about ten o'clock. These men were detained for the night in Tuam police station, and next morning the facts were reported by telegram to the constabulary headquarters. Instructions were wired to the police to take the persons arrested before a resident magistrate, but as it was then reported that no resident magistrate was available further instructions were issued at 2.50 p.m. directing that the men should be brought before a local justice, which was done at 3.30 p.m. The local magistrate admitted the men to bail to appear at petty sessions on this day. I have no information as to any request by Mr. Glynn, solicitor, but assuming that it was made, it was necessary that the local police should await instructions from headquarters.

MR. HAZLETON

What was the object of bringing these gentlemen before a local magistrate; was it because he would send them forward to petty session?

MR. CHERRY

The instruction was sent from headquarters to take them before a resident magistrate.

MR. HAZLETON

By what department was the instruction sent?

MR. CHERRY

The police.

MR. HAZLETON

Not by the Chief Secretary?

MR. CHERRY

No.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is it necessary to make such arrests in the night? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman instruct the police to do it in the daytime?

MR. CHERRY

When there is rioting or an attempt is being made on a man's life it is necessary to arrest on the spot.

MR. T. L. CORBETT

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in future men charged with these offences are sent before sympathetic magistrates?

[No Answer was returned.]