§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR(by Private Notice) asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he can make to the House a statement with regard to the unfortunate events in Milltown Malbay, where three people were killed and several were wounded by the soldiers and, I believe, by the police 1 [HON. MEMBERS:" No !"]
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)On the night of the 14th instant a patrol, consisting of six constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary and seven soldiers, was fired on by a crowd consisting of about 250 persons. The military returned the fire, with the result that three men in the crowd lost their lives and a number were wounded.
§ Mr. O'CONNORMay I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether the origin of this unfortunate happening was that as a body of the people in Milltown Malbay were celebrating the wisdom of the Government in liberating the prisoners on hunger strike, and were themselves gathering for a peaceful and a perfectly laudable purpose, they were interfered with by this body of soldiers and police before any other incident occurred, and whether it is desirable in a case of popular demonstration of this kind that the police and soldiers should not abstain from any interference unless there is a clear case of an attempt to violate the law?
§ Mr. HENRYNo, Sir; my information is that the first act of violence proceeded from the crowd, and the firing was merely the result of a discharge of firearms by members of that crowd.
§ Mr. O'CONNORWas not the firing which is alleged on the part of the crowd subsequent to an attempt on the part of the soldiers and police to break up this meeting?
§ Mr. O'CONNORI beg to give notice that I shall raise this subject again on the Motion for the adjournment.