§ MR. MOONEY (Newry)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state why a large contingent of extra police was drafted into Newry on Sunday, 21st June, on the occasion of a visit of the Ancient Order of Hibernians from some of the neighbouring towns; can he state on whose initiative these extra police were employed; was any local magistrate or 377 magistrates consulted as to the necessity for such action; whether he is aware that the urban council, representative of every shade of opinion, are strongly of opinion that there was no necessity for this extra force; can he state what was the cost of these police; and upon whom it is intended to throw such cost.
§ MR. BIRRELLOn the occasion in question several thousand members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, wearing regalia and accompanied by eleven bands, paraded through the town of Newry. An extra force of seventy-five police was assembled at the instance of the police authorities, who are responsible for the maintenance of order and the preservation of the peace. No local magistrate was consulted, it is not customary for the police authorities to consult local magistrates as to the measures to be taken for preserving the peace on the occasion of party demonstrations. I understand that some members of the urban council have expressed the opinion that the extra force was unnecessary. Out of the seventy-five men referred to thirty were brought from other counties, and the sum of £5 14s. 10d., being a moiety of the cost of these men, is chargeable on the county at large. The remaining forty-five men belonged to the established county force, and in respect of these no charge is leviable.
§ MR. MOONEYIs not a charge to be made on the urban area?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe charge will be made on the county at large.