§ MR. CONDON (Tipperary, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether over 200 police were imported into Cashel on 15th July in connection with a small seizure for rent; whether County Inspector Rogers refused to allow the inhabitants to pass through the streets, though requested to do so by the priest and representative men of the district, including the chairman of the urban council; whether the attitude of the county inspector was likely to lead to a breach of the peace on the occasion; and whether the urban district of Cashel will have to pay for the importation of those police.
1453 (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 15th July a force of 100 police under County Inspector Rogers was assembled in Cashel to preserve the peace in connection with a sheriff's sale at which disturbance was anticipated. The county inspector refused to allow a crowd of 500 persons, accompanied by three bands, to march past the place of sale, but when the bandsmen put up their instruments he offered no opposition to their free passage. A Catholic clergyman and the chairman of the town commissioners, who accompanied the crowd, protested against the action of the county inspector. It appears to have been the object of the crowd and bands to interfere with the sale, and the inspector general is satisfied that the county inspector acted properly. Fifty of the extra police were brought from an adjoining county, and the county at large will have to bear the charge in respect of that number.