HC Deb 10 November 1920 vol 134 c1190
Mr. O'CONNOR

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is true that the following notice was posted on shop fronts and walls in Athlone:

NOTICE.

Shopkeepers of Athlone are hereby ordered to close their premises on Armistice Day, 11th November, in honour of the fallen heroes of the Great War and the police murdered in Ireland. This Notice applies to all business houses and factories. Any failure to comply with this order renders the destruction of the said premises inevitable. (Signed) BLACK AND TANS. God Save the King. And whether he will take immediate action to protect the town from threats of destruction by those officers of law and order?
Sir H. GREENWOOD

I have been informed by telegraph that the police found one such notice posted up and immediately pulled it down. It is not known by whom it was posted, but I do not believe that it was put up by the police, nor do I believe that any harm will befall any person by reason of his opening his shop to-morrow in Athlone.

Mr. DEVLIN

Is there anything that you would believe?