HC Deb 23 February 1911 vol 21 cc2063-4
Viscount CASTLEREAGH

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the doctor who gave evidence at the inquest on Mr. Thomas McClory said that death arose from heart disease, from which McClory had been suffering for years, and that there were no traces of injuries from which death was likely to result; whether the injuries to his face were consonant with McClory falling down whilst on his way home; whether McClory, the day after it was alleged he was the victim of a brutal and unprovoked assault, spent the whole day from seven in the morning to ten at night in Raithfriland; whether McClory, when questioned by the police, was unable to say where he met with his injuries; and whether the police had any information which pointed to the fact of there being an assault at all; and, if so, of what was its character?

Mr. BIRRELL

The doctor's evidence at the inquest on 29th December was to the effect that when McClory visited him on 15th December his face was bruised and his nose was broken, and he complained of having been beaten on the previous night. The doctor went on to say that on a superficial examination of the body on the day of the inquest he saw no marks that would account for death He further stated his opinion that the cause of death was heart disease, and that the injuries which he saw may have accelerated it. McClory was a deformed and decrepit old man. The police are satisfied that the injuries to his face which they saw were caused, as stated by him, by his being beaten on the face and knocked down on the road. It is true that McClory spent the day following the assault in the polling booth at Rathfriland in the discharge of his duties as election agent. When questioned by the police that morning he told them exactly where the assault as described above took place, but was unable to give the names of his assailants. The police are satisfied of the truth of his statements.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is it not a fact that a coroner's jury, composed almost entirely of Unionists, found that the man's death was accelerated by the violence of the Unionists who attacked him?

Mr. BIRRELL

They found that death was accelerated by the wounds inflicted.

Viscount CASTLEREAGH

Did not the alleged assault take place in the Nationalist quarter of the town?

Mr. MacVEAGH

There is no Nationalist quarter of the town.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

If the police have not discovered who committed the assault is the hon. Member entitled to call the culprits Unionists?

Mr. BIRRELL

I did not say what were the politics of the people.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is it not a fact that the three persons whom the police suspect in connection with this murderous attack are all Unionists?

Mr. BIRRELL

I cannot go into that.

Mr. MacVEAGH

I can tell you.