HC Deb 13 July 1916 vol 84 cc505-6
66. Mr. LYNCH

asked whether an inquiry will be set on foot to ascertain the circumstances in which Ernest Cavanagh met his death on 25th April on the steps of Liberty Hall, Dublin; and, if so, whether the statements of his relatives will be tested, to the effect that Ernest Cavanagh was never a member of any organisation which advocated physical force, that he was absent on a holiday during four days preceding the rising, that having been employed as a clerk in the State insurance section of the Irish Trans-port Workers' Union he had gone, on Tuesday, 25th April, to Liberty Hall to ascertain whether the staff was still there, that he was shot and killed while alone and unarmed, that the shots came from the Customs House near by, and that no warning was given?

Mr. SAMUEL

My information is that Ernest Cavanagh was accidentally shot by a member of the Citizen Army, and I do not propose to institute an inquiry in the matter.

Mr. LYNCH

What evidence has the right hon. Gentleman for making that statement, which is greatly at variance with the evidence otherwise available? Will the right hon. Gentleman lay even that evidence before Members of the House?

Mr. SAMUEL

There was a police inquiry in Dublin into the circumstances, and the result of it I have told the House.

Mr. LYNCH

May Members of this House, and particularly Irish Members, have access to that evidence?

Mr. SAMUEL

I would like notice of that.