§ 7. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland for what alleged offence and for how long Mr. John Hegarty was restricted to a specified area in county Cork; why he was not tried; on whose direction the police threatened Mrs. Hegarty that they would shoot her husband if they saw him approaching his home; and, Hegarty having since disappeared, whether he has been shot or is in custody?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)John Hegarty's movements are restricted because he had been unlawfully engaged in drilling. He was not tried because he gave an undertaking as to his conduct. The police did not threaten to shoot him. He has not disappeared or been shot. He is not in custody, but is living at home with his wife, and I have not received any complaint from him with regard to the police or the military authorities.
§ 8. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what charge two of the police of Cahirdaniel, county Kerry, recently arrested Mr. Miceal Breatnac, otherwise Michael Walsh, a Gaelic League organiser well known to them, and another man, no charge having been made then or since; whether it was in accordance with instructions from head- 1272 quarters or with the policy of the Government that the sergeant made use of his position to insult the two men with offensive remarks about the Gaelic League and Gaelic language, and insisted upon their speaking and writing in English, while showing his ability to understand and speak sufficient Irish; if no charge is to be brought against those men; whether the sergeant will be required to apologise to them; and, in view of the irritation and disaffection caused by the police hostility to this non-political literary organisation, whether it will be discontinued?
§ Mr. DUKEMichael Walsh has not recently been arrested by the police at Cahirdaniel, but some months ago a man in his company was required, for the purpose of identification, to go to the police barrack, and Walsh went along with him. Neither of them was arrested. No charge was made against these men in respect of this incident, and I am assured that the sergeant referred to made no offensive remarks and said nothing that requires apology.
§ 15. Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Cornelius Doody and Thomas Sheehy, of Duagh, have been arrested; what charge has been preferred against them; and whether he will order their immediate release?
§ Mr. DUKEThese men have been arrested on a charge under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, which is due for hearing at Listowel Petty Sessions on Saturday next.