§ 76. Mr. WILLIAM COOTEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that from Tuesday, the 26th October, to Monday, the 1st November, the business houses in many towns in County Cavan were compulsorily closed by order of Sinn Fein owing to the death and interment of the mayor of Cork; that the statute cattle fair at Mullagh was broken up, the cattle driven out of the town, and guards put upon the roads to prevent entrance; and that the peaceful and well-disposed citizens in many parts of the county were kept in a state of privation and terror; and will he take steps to prevent occurrences of this kind in future?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am informed that while in certain towns in the County of Cavan business was wholly or partially suspended on the 28th and 29th of October, no acts of compulsion came under notice, and shopkeepers who kept their business open were not molested in any way. The Mullagh fair was stopped at the instance of the local Sinn Fein organisation. According to the police reports, it would hardly be correct to say that peaceful and well-disposed persons in any part of the county were kept in a state of terror or prostration.
§ Mr. COOTEIs it not right that in several towns bands of Sinn Feiners went through these towns and compelled the shopkeepers to close their houses during those days?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThat is not my information. I think it is quite possible.
§ Mr. COOTEIf I submit the names of these towns, and the circumstances to the right hon. Gentleman, will he look into the matter?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman entitled to say a thing is quite possible that he has no evidence of, and which the police themselves state did not take place? Are his answers to be a series of insults to people in Ireland?