§ Mr. DEVLINOn Friday last I put a series of questions to the Chief Secretary with regard to the kidnapping and alleged assassination of a priest, the Rev. Michael Griffin, of Galway. The right hon. Gentleman told me he would state to the House any further particulars he had to offer with regard to this case, and I now want to know whether the right hon Gentleman has that statement to make to the House?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe District Inspector, Galway, phones:
The body of Father Griffin was found in a grave last night or this morning about six miles from Galway, near Barna. The body was left at the Rectory, Galway, and the clergy refused to give any information as to who brought the body there. There was a mark of a bullet in Father Griffin's head.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken to find out who has committed this frightful outrage against this clergyman? Mr. Speaker, may I call your attention to what has now become an ever-growing habit upon the Treasury Bench, namely, for Ministers, to whom questions are not addressed, repeatedly giving hints to other Ministers? I asked the right hon. Gentleman a question as to who is responsible, and one of the Ministers said, "Say Sinn Feiners."
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYThe Minister for War.
§ Mr. DEVLINI think it is a horrible condition of affairs in the House.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHChurchill said that. It was your own men, your minions, who committed the murder. You know it.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. member and his friends really take up so much time of the House, and make so much noise, that it is extremely difficult for me to hear what is going on.
§ Mr. DEVLINHe does not deny it.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHe cannot deny it.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe supplementary question of the hon. Member is, what steps the Irish government have taken to track down the murderers of the late Father Griffin. All possible steps have been taken, but I must protest again, as I did on Friday, against the allegation, of which there is no evidence, that this unfortunate priest was done to death by any of the forces of the Crown.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhy were you told to say "Sinn Feiners"?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODMay I say, further, that the police officer in charge of the whole of this area, one of the most distinguished police officers, is himself a devout Roman Catholic, and the last man to tolerate any crime against a priest?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHDoes that district inspector say the murder was committed by Father Griffin's own parishioners, as you yourself said the other day?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI did not say so.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHYou did.