§ 22. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary for War at what date martial law was relaxed in Dublin to the extent of allowing priests to visit the sick and dying; whether from the Proclamation of martial law until that date priests could discharge their functions only at the risk of their lives; whether it was within that period that the Rev. Father Watters, while on his way to administer the last sacraments to the dying, was shot dead by the military in the sight of several witnesses; and why no inquest or inquiry of any sort has been held?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhile the fighting was in progress and an area was enclosed by a cordon permits were sent to the Most Rev. Dr. Donnelly, P.P., to hand to priests who wished to attend to the dead, dying, or wounded inside the cordon. Priests inside the cordon could move freely there. The moment the cordon was withdrawn all priests could move freely. No complaint as to this arrangement was received. No priest was known to have been injured except Father Watters, who was reported to have been wounded by a stray bullet while entering his house. He died of his wounds on 8th May and was buried on 10th May. No suggestion has ever been 1355 made as to his wound having been inflicted in any but an accidental manner, nor was any request for an inquest sent in.