HC Deb 02 December 1920 vol 135 cc1419-20
48. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to a passage in Cardinal Logue's pastoral letter which states that a general indiscriminate massacre of innocent and inoffensive victims was perpetrated at Croke Park, Dublin, last Sunday week by forces of the Crown, who also turned lethal weapons upon a defenceless, unarmed, closely packed multitude, reckless of the number of innocent people who might fall victims; will he say if the Cardinal correctly describes what took place; and, if not, will he state the facts?

Mr. HENRY

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the passage in question, which represents a complete misunderstanding of what took place at Croke Park on Sunday, the 21st ultimo. If my hon. Friend will refer to the statement made by the Chief Secretary in this House on the 23rd ultimo, he will find a full and correct account of the facts.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement of the Chief Secretary has been contradicted by respectable people who were present, and could we have the finding of the Court of Inquiry?

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is he also aware that English and American newspaper correspondents who were present flatly contradict the statement made by the Chief Secretary in this House, and state that the firing upon the people there was deliberate and unprovoked?