§ Mr. WATERSON(by, Private. Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can give any information as to the burning of Ballymacelligot creamery on the 12th instant, whether three homesteads were burnt and a quantity of hay and straw destroyed, whether two men were shot dead and two wounded, whether seven were taken prisoners, including a doctor who was attending the wounded, and whether the manager of the creamery was threatened with death and saved only by the intervention of an officer of His Majesty's Forces?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have received a report regarding this occurrence, from which it appears that a police escort with a party of journalists while travelling from Castleisland to Tralee in County Kerry on the 12th instant were attacked at Ballymacelligot by about seventy armed men concealed near the creamery, and were actually fired upon from the creamery. The police defended themselves and in so doing killed four of their assailants and wounded others, but the exact number of wounded 1892 is not known. Seven arrests were effected, including a doctor and his servant who were attending a wounded man inside the creamery. The doctor and his servant were subsequently released, but the other prisoners have been retained for trial. The creamery and two or three adjoining homesteads, from which heavy fire was directed upon the police and a quantity of hay were burned. The creamery was found to contain petrol and a number of spent, cartridges. It was probably the headquarters of the local Irish Republican Army. The hayricks burned with explosions due, undoubtedly, to concealed ammunition.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the incident to which he refers at 4 p.m. on that date was after the burning of the creamery had commenced? The burning of the creamery took place at 11 o'clock on the morning, when seven or eight lorries of His Majesty's forces drew up, and it was a few minutes after 11 o'clock that the manager of the creamery was told to prepare for death. It was not until 4 o'clock that the ambush took place.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have spoken to a gentleman who was in the ambush, and I am quite sure of my facts. During this particular day there were three fights in the vicinity of this creamery, and I am convinced of the facts that I have stated to the House. I am glad that I have been able to interview one of my own staff, who was in this ambush, and happily escaped with his life, who was able to give me an exact description of one of these ambushes and an exact account of how one creamery, at any rate, was destroyed.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the president of the society, who happens to be Father Trant, repudiates the idea that any ambush took place before 4 p.m. on that day? Seeing that the creamery was attacked at 11 o'clock in the morning how can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile the facts?
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon Gentleman say what has been done with those who arrested the doctor when he was attending a wounded man. The right hon. Gentleman has admitted that the doctor was attending a wounded man. What proceedings are to be taken against 1893 these barbarous savages who arrested a doctor when he was attending a wounded man? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"] It is no laughing matter.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODTo describe policemen who were only defending their lives from an ambush as barbarous savages will not, I am sure, appeal to any other Member of this House.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? What proceedings are to be taken against these officers of the Crown who arrested a doctor at the time when he was attending a wounded man?
§ Mr. D. HERBERTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this doctor had been sent for for the purpose of attending these people, or whether he was there before?
§ Mr. DEVLINHow did you get into Parliament? What intelligent constituency returned you?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe doctor was attending some of the persons who had attacked the police, and the police, naturally, arrested him and everyone else they could get their hands on. As soon as they found out that he was a doctor they at once released him.
§ Mr. DEVLINThe right hon. Gentleman has changed the phraseology of his answer. He has admitted that this doctor was attending—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"]. It is enough to fight the Black and Tans in Ireland without fighting you. The right hon. Gentleman has stated, in reply to my question, that this doctor was arrested—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"]. I must press my point. I ask the right hon Gentleman whether he did not admit, in answer to my question, that this man was arested while attending a wounded man, and I want to know what is to be done, and whether these persons who arrested the doctor in the most merciful pursuit in which any professional man could be engaged are to be prosecuted.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe doctor was attending some of the Sinn Feiners who had been engaged in attacking the police. 1894 The attackers on the police were all in civilian costume, and the doctor, not being distinguishable by uniform or anything else, was arrested with the rest. As soon as it was discovered that he was a doctor he was at once released.
§ Mr. DEVLINI will raise this question again.