§ 68. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the chief Secretary for Ireland how many prisoners have been shot dead in Ireland within the last 12 months, and at what places, on the allegation that they were attempting to escape?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn the past 12 months Seven persons in custody have been shot dead whilst attempting to escape.
§ (1)In military custody:
- J. Buckley, Middleton, County Cork.
- P. Lynch, Hospital, County Limerick.
- J. O'Loughlin, Inagh, County Limerick.
- J. and P. O'Brien, Nenagh, County Tipperary.
§ (2) In police custody:
- — Lehanc, Ballyvourney, County Cork.
- — Scanlon, Limerick City.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHas the right hon. Baronet's attention been called to this growing practice of shooting unarmed prisoners, and is he aware that that is a great deal worse than was charged against the Germans in Belgium?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI must protest against the monstrous suggestion that these people are shot other than in an attempt to escape.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHI repeat the suggestion.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs the right hon. Baronet entitled to say these people are guilty before they are even tried by a military tribunal?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI did not say that. These people were shot in an attempt to run away from arrest.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHow could a man be trying to run away when he is handcuffed and in charge of soldiers? Is it not perfectly ridiculous to allege that the man was attempting to escape? He was deliberately shot.