HC Deb 17 July 1919 vol 118 cc582-3
26. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state on whose advice or on whose instructions were large detachments of military and police brought into the town of Killarney on Sunday, the 8th of June, to suppress the annual Gaelic League festival fixed for that date; and whether there has ever been any sort of disturbance in connection with previous celebrations of the same character; and, if so, when and of what nature?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a similar question on this subject asked by the hon. and learned Member for South Down on 26th June. The Irish Government accept full responsibility for the action taken.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Would it not be possible to exempt these athletic meetings from interference on the ground that athletics are a useful and harmless outlet for the energies of the young Irishman?

Mr. HENRY

We are always glad to allow athletic meetings to be held, but we find that at those meetings the energies of the young Irishman sometimes take the form of sedition.

Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

Were any troops sent to Belfast on 12th July, and, if not, why not?

Lieut.-Col. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

What is the hon. Gentleman's definition of sedition?

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