§ 5. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at 4 a.m. on 13th July a police sergeant named Gardner and a constable broke into a house at Cloncannon, Edenderry, King's County, that the house is one in which a poor woman lives alone, that no warning or request for admission was given, and no explanation was furnished; whether it was in pursuance of any Regulation under the Defence of the Realm or any Order under the Crimes Act, 1887, signed or authorised by the Chief Secretary, that this was done; and whether any other result was obtained than possession of the book, "Life of Daniel O'Connell" which the police took away?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)I am informed that on the 11th inst. the police entered under lawful authority the house of Margaret Cummins of Cloncannon. Ample warning was given by the police before entering. The book referred to, which contained a Sinn Fein card, was taken by them.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that it was at 4 o'clock in the morning, as stated in this question, and 1973 can he explain why such an extraordinary time was taken for such an outrage as this?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe visit was perfectly legal and not an outrage. That was the most desirable time to make it.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman really believe that an old lady visited at four o'clock in the morning, who lives there by herself, can take such a visit without grave concern, without being upset, and probably her health affected?
§ Mr. SHORTTShe did not happen to live there by herself.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman peruse the copy of "Daniel O'Connell's Life" with a view to obtaining an elementary knowledge of Irish history?
§ Mr. DEVLINWould this lady have been attacked if the only book in the House had been a life of Lloyd George?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat has nothing to do with this question.