HC Deb 15 October 1908 vol 194 cc484-5
MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that forty-three young men from Doolan, Toclea, and Lisdoonvarna, having been summoned to attend the Petty Sessions Court at Ennistymon, were quietly walking into Ennistymon to attend the Sessions when they were set upon by a body of police and batoned, many persons being seriously injured; and whether he will have a sworn inquiry into the conduct of the district inspectors and police who committed this attack.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.

The police authorities inform me that on 30th September a case of cattle-driving was heard at Ennistymon Petty Sessions. On the morning of that day, and before the hearing, an organised procession approached the village, carrying a banner inscribed: "Down with the landlords," and accompanied by a band playing music. The police repeatedly requested the party to take down the banner, and warned them that band playing would not be allowed in the vicinity of the courthouse. The crowd ignored the warnings of the police, and attempted to force their way into the village. Upon being prevented, they attacked the police with sticks and stones, and several policemen were injured. The police thereupon dispersed the crowd by a baton charge, and took possession of the banner and two drums. After the case had been disposed of by the Court, a crowd collected outside the courthouse, and again attacked the police with stones, and this crowd also was dispersed by baton charges. It was the duty of the police to preserve order in the vicinity of the courthouse, and this duty appears to have been effectively discharged. I do not propose to hold any inquiry into the matter.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there, was anything illegal in exhibiting a banner bearing the words: "Down with the landlords," and whether several local clergymen protested strongly against the action of the police, and that their version of what happened was entirely different from that of the police themselves.

MR. BIRRELL

There are always disputes about such matters. I have stated the account given by the police, and as to its accuracy I have no reason to doubt it.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Then I will call attention to the matter at an I early date, and point out that the word of a priest is at least as good as that of a policeman.