§ Mr. LYNN(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can give any information regarding the murder of Lieut. Hambleton, at Nenagh, on the 4th inst.?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI wired about this case, and I will read the wire exactly as I have received it—
Reference Nenagh. Police report of murder of Lieut. Hambleton, 1st Batt. 996 Northants Regiment, on 4th inst., is as follows:—On the afternoon of the 4th instant, Lieutenant H. J. Hambleton, who was stationed at Nenagh, left Templemore about 4 p.m. to motor-cycle to Nenagh. Nothing further was heard about him until about 6 p.m. when a message was received that a military officer was lying wounded on the road about two miles out of Nenagh on the Templemore road. On receipt of the message a search party was sent out, and he was found lying in a field, with a man of the farming class in attendance on him. Lieutenant Hambleton died about 5 minutes after our arrival. About 5.15 p.m. a man was cycling home from Nenagh and when near Knockalton he was halted by some men and told to turn back. He did so. Soon after he heard some shots, and, after waiting some time, he retraced his footsteps, and saw a motor cycle lying on the road, and looking over the fence he saw a wounded man, and went to his assistance, and was warned by a person he did not know to clear out or he would get the same. The farmer went away a few yards, and immediately a motor containing a number of men drove away from the scene. This man had been in the R.A.M.C. during the War, and went to the wounded man's assistance, and on ascertaining that he was a military officer, requisitioned a farmer from Resheen, who was passing with a horse and cart at the time, to look after the officer while he went for a doctor and the police. The deceased was shot in the lung over the heart by a bullet, and his left forearm was almost blown off. Death was due to hæmorrhage.No evidence can be obtained about the tragedy. It was just getting dark at the time of the occurrence. Following this murder, the troops got out of hand for a short time, despite the efforts of the officers, and committed a certain amount of destruction before they were again got in hand. Lieut. Hambleton was a most popular officer with the men, and had a very gallant record in the late War.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThere have been some arrests, I believe, in connection with this murder and other disturbances in the neighbourhood.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I inquire whether, when the forces of the Crown were gathered in the town of Nenagh, they burnt down the shop of a man who sent three sons to the War? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of that. Further, what steps have been taken to bring these uniformed malefactors to justice? [HON MEMBERS: "Do not answer! Do not answer!"] I want an answer.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThere were no shops burnt down. It is true there were two shops set on fire, as I indicated, by soldiers who got out of hand, after seeing the mutilated body of their officer. But fresh troops arrived on the scene, and the fires were put out by the troops and the police.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the shops burnt down—
§ Mr. DEVLIN—was the shop of a man who sent three soldiers to the front for four years? Is he aware of that?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI was not aware of that fact. If it is so, it only adds to the tragedy of the whole thing.
§ Mr. DEVLINThe right hon. Gentleman says he is not aware of this. I raised the question in the House the other night, and I read a telegram from the man who stated that this was his reward for sending three sons to the front.