HC Deb 07 November 1912 vol 43 cc1435-6
40. Mr. P. WHITE

asked whether a public meeting announced to be held at Spandaw, near Kells, county Meath, on Sunday last, was proclaimed; if so, at whose request; and for what reasons?

Mr. BIRRELL

A public meeting was announced to be held on 3rd November at McConnell's Cross to protest against the taking of Spandaw Farm. As the meeting was obviously for the purpose of intimidation, it was prohibited by order of the Government, and a force of police was present to carry out the order.

41. Mr. P. WHITE

asked the Chief Secretary whether the parish priest of Kilbeg, Kells, county Meath, was refused the right of free speech on Sunday last, by District Inspector King, who, when asked to produce his authority, stated his uniform was sufficient; whether such conduct on the part of a police officer towards a respected clergyman, advocating the just claims of his own parishioners in their own district, is in accordance with the regulations of the service or the policy of His Majesty's Government; whether he gave instructions to the police officer to so act, and for what reason; and, if the wearing of uniform is a sufficient and necessary insignia of authority, what evidence of authority should be produced by ah officer not in uniform?

Mr. BIRRELL

The meeting referred to was prohibited by order of Government, and the district inspector who was present in uniform was only doing his duty in preventing any person from addressing the meeting.

Mr. P. WHITE

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter portion of the question? What evidence of authority should be produced by an officer not in uniform?

Mr. BIRRELL

It was common knowledge that the meeting had been proclaimed. The police were there to see that it was not held. District Inspector King was there in uniform, and in the discharge of his duty he was bound to see that the meeting was not held.

Mr. P. WHITE

If he had not been in uniform, what authority would have been necessary?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know about that, but he was in uniform.

Mr. P. WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was prevented from attending a meeting last year by an officer not in uniform?

Mr. BIRRELL

That question does not arise in this case.

42. Mr. P. WHITE

asked what is the length of service in the Royal Irish Constabulary of District Inspector King, who was in command of the forces at Spandaw, near Kells, on Sunday last; what counties he served in; how long he was stationed in county Meath; and whether he ever before acted in chief command on the occasion of a proclaimed meeting?

Mr. BIRRELL

District Inspector King has five and a half years' service in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He has served in the counties of Cork. East Riding. Kerry, Galway, East Riding, and Meath. He has been stationed at Kells for the past three years. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.

Mr. MOORE

Having regard to the terms of this question, what safeguard will there be for this man if he is handed over to a Nationalist majority in the Dublin Parliament for having done his duty?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. and learned Gentleman need be under no apprehension.