§ 17. Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, 2nd August, a public parade of the National Volunteers took place at Ballylongford, North Kerry; whether he is aware that Sergeant Brennan, Royal Irish Constabulary, of Ballylongford, not only interfered with the public parade of the National Volunteers, but publicly demanded that the drill instructor, who was armed with a rifle, should surrender the rifle to Sergeant Brennan; whether Sergeant Brennan also endeavoured to take the rifle by force; and whether he will say if Sergeant Brennan was thus acting on instructions from Dublin Castle and in the interests of the peace of the district?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I am informed that on the date mentioned a party of the Irish National Volunteers were drilling at Ballylongford when Sergeant Brennan asked the drill instructor whether he had a gun licence for the rifle he was carrying. Sergeant Brennan did not try to take the rifle from the owner, but simply opened and closed the bolt of the rifle while it was in the owner's hands. The sergeant had no instructions to act in the manner described.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs it not a fact that the sergeant actually attempted to take the rifle from the drill inspector?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat is not so.
§ Mr. FLAVINIt is true.