§ 46. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister what is the purpose of the delay in opening the promised public inquiry into the murder of Thomas Hickey, Christopher Hickey, Peter Connolly, and others in North King Street, Dublin; when it is intended to open the inquiry; whether the soldiers concerned are in custody; and, in view of the necessary expenditure by the next-of-kin, poor people, in connection with the cases, whether their letters on the subject to friends in America, which have been stopped in the post, will be forwarded?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first part of the question, I must repeat that no such promise has been given. With regard to the last part of the question, I am informed that, as has been frequently stated in the House of Commons, no letters to the United States of America or to any other neutral or allied country are stopped unless they contravene the Defence of the Realm Regulations or will be required as evidence in proceedings against the writer, the addressee, or a third person referred to in the letter.
§ Mr. GINNELLApart from the question of a promise will the right hon. Gentleman have the case of these non-combatant civilians inquired into when similar cases are being inquired into by a civil tribunal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to the answers I have given on several occasions.
§ Mr. GINNELLDoes that mean that they will not be inquired into?
§ 47. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister if he will say on what ground of distinction a public civil inquiry, promised into the shooting of some non-combatant civilians in Dublin, is refused in other cases exactly similar; whether the promised inquiry will be extended to all cases found to be similar; and, seeing that the non-combatant civilians Ernest Cavanagh, John Hewson, William Maguire, Harris, Casey, and Fowler, at their peaceful pursuits, were, without warning, shot dead in the Eden Quay area; does the fact that that area comprises Liberty Hall deprive the relatives of these non-combatants of the right of inquiry which they would otherwise have?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe first part of the question is based on a misunderstanding which I explained in answering the hon. Member's previous question. With regard to the last part of the question, I may say that such information as I have received does not lead me to think that any inquiry is called for in this matter.
§ Mr. GINNELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that on the last occasion these were mentioned he justified the shooting of these non-combatant civilians on the ground that they were in the neighbourhood of Liberty Hall, and why should the fact of a non-combatant being in the neighbourhood of Liberty Hall on peaceful business justify anyone in shooting him?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly one, if not two, of these men was shot by the rebels.
§ Mr. LYNCHWhy does the Government assume two totally different policies, one with regard to men remotely connected with the rising, and in the other case taking no notice whatever of cases where innocent men have been deliberately shot, and who had no participation what-ever in the affair?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question
§ 54. Mr. BYRNEasked the Prime Minister if he will cause particulars of the private inquiry held by the military into the North King Street shootings to be made public, including the evidence, in order that Dublin citizens may be satisfied in reference to the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis matter is under consideration.