HC Deb 09 March 1911 vol 22 cc1387-8
Mr. DUFFY

asked whether instructions have been issued by the police authorities in the district of Turloughmore, Tuam, county Galway, to visit at unseasonable hours the houses of some of the people; can he state under what Act of Parliament the police are empowered to wake up people at night, and ask them to produce their guns for examination; and, having regard to the peaceable state of the district and its immunity from crime, whether he will cause an inquiry to be held into the conduct of Sergeant Reidy, of Turlough more, in subjecting respectable people to such annoyance?

Mr. BIRRELL

No such instructions as suggested in the question have been issued. The district in question is not a peaceful one, and when outrages, which are frequent, are committed it becomes the imperative duty of the police to institute exhaustive inquiry (including the examination of guns when necessary) amongst all persons who may be either suspected of committing the offences or who may be thought capable of giving evidence in the connection. I do not think that the inquiry referred to in the last paragraph is necessary.

Mr. DUFFY

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to imply that the police are at liberty to wake up people night after night in a systematic way for the purpose of interrogating them as to where they had been?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, not in a general manner, but in connection with a particular outrage where they have to ascertain who is guilty they are entitled to take those steps.

Mr. DUFFY

Night after night?

Mr. BIRRELL

As much as is necessary in order to secure the ends of justice.

Mr. JOYCE

May I ask whether this was done in the case of McClorey in a northern county?

Mr. BIRRELL

The police, if they have any definite information, certainly have the right to make the searches required. In the McClorey case the police could obtain no evidence which would justify a search. If they had possessed evidence, they would have had no hesitation in searching houses.

Mr. JOYCE

That is the case in the west of Ireland, but they hesitate in the north.

Mr. MOORE

Is it suggested that there is a single district in the north which is otherwise than peaceful.

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know of a single district in the north which is not in a peaceful condition.

Mr. JOYCE

Wait until 12th July, when they get wakened up.