§ Mr. GILHOOLYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that stones were thrown at a meeting held in Castletown Bere immediately before the latest General Election; that the Parliamentary candidate and his friends were driven from the platform by a fusillade of stones; that a policeman received a blow from a stone; that the windows of the hotel immediately behind the platform were broken; and, seeing that a large force of police were present under the command of a county inspector and that the stone-throwers were well known to the police, will he explain why no arrests were made and no prosecutions instituted in connection with this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that on the occasion of a political meeting at Castletown Bere on 10th December last, some stone-throwing took place, during which a policeman was struck, but not seriously injured, and some windows were broken in the hotel opposite which the meeting was held. The speakers had not, however, to leave the platform. The police at once pursued the stone-throwers. No complaints were made, and no one was injured, except the policeman referred to. There was no arrest or prosecution, as the police were unable to identify the stone-throwers.
§ Mr. GILHOOLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Inspector Byrne who was in charge of the constabulary force, when asked why he did not arrest the man whom he saw strike the policeman, said he gave him a stroke of a stick which was sufficient?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI should not like to interfere with the discretion of so high an authority.