§ 25. Mr. HARTSHORNasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state in which cases civilians have died in Ireland during the last three years as the results of injuries inflicted on them by the police or military?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONSince the Rebellion, five civilians have died from injuries inflicted by the Royal Irish Constabulary. Two of these men were killed by police who were defending Gortatlea Police Barracks from attack by armed disguised men. In another case the police fired on a body of cattle-drivers who refused to cease driving the cattle and were threatening police. The police fired first over their heads, and then at them. One man was wounded, and died.
862 In another case a man was discovered leaving a house after committing a burglary. He was fired at in the darkness, and died next day. In the fifth case a man rushed to the Police Barracks to get help to quell a row in a public-house. The police suspected an intention of raiding the barracks, and fired at him through a window, and he died from the effects of the wound.
Five civilians died from injuries inflicted by the military. Of these one was shot by a sentry when attempting to escape from lawful custody, and three were shot by a sentry after frequent challenging. In the other case, while the military were clearing a Sinn Fein hall into which a number of persons who had engaged in illegal drilling had gone, one man received a bayonet wound, from which he died.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot answer my hon. Friend's question offhand, but the House and the country know well that recently a very large number of these gallant men have been foully and dastardly murdered.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many police and soldiers were murdered by the right hon. Gentleman's constituents in 1886?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI wish my hon. Friend would deal with present facts.