§ MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, when fifty young men in Doolin, Toclea, Ballinalicken, and Lisdoonvarna were informed that they would be arrested on the charge of cattle-driving, they walked in a body to Ballyreen police barrack and gave themselves into the charge of the sergeant, and that the same young men and their friends when they were walking quietly to the petty sessions Court at Ennistymon were met outside the town by a large body of police, who, without any provocation, tore the flag from them when they saw the inscription on it of "The Land for the People. Down with the Landlord Ranchers; "and will he say why this action was taken by the police.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.I have already dealt fully with this incident in my reply to the Hon. Member's Question of the 15th instant. I am informed by the constabulary authorities that when the police properly prevented this disorderly procession from approaching the courthouse, the crowd attacked the police with sticks and stones, knocking down and injuring five constables. It was only then that the police charged the crowd with batons and took possession of the banner. It is the fact that the young men gave themselves up in the first instance, but this fact affords no excuse for the subsequent misconduct of these men and their friends in approaching the courthouse in a disorderly and intimidatory manner.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if his attention has been called to the allegation made of what is described as a disorderly procession, but which is simply the men summoned going to the courthouses freely in order to stand their trial on the charge made against them, and might I ask whether his attention has been called to the complaints of the police made by several priests in the district, and other responsible persons, who entirely deny the facts as stated by the right hon. Gentleman, and whether he 1372 will, under these circumstances, and in view of the character of the gentlemen who dispute the description given by the police, order an inquiry to be made?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have made full inquiries, and am fully satisfied of the truth and accuracy of the statements made by the police.
§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the young men concerned in this cattle-drive were following the advice of the hon. Member?
§ MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)May I ask what steps the Government took with regard to the assault committed by the crowd of patriots on the police?
§ MR. BIRRELLI think considerable steps were taken.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if I furnish him with written complaints as to the action of the police by the priests and other responsible people in the neighbourhood, he will consider those statements?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am always prepared to consider any statement made authoritatively by responsible persons.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDThen I will get them.