§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR (by Private notice)asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any confirmation of the report that a man named Michael Walsh was taken from a shop in Galway, and was shot, and his body thrown into the dock; and whether the Government have any information as to the perpetrators of this murder; and whether an immediate inquiry will be held into the circumstances, with a view to discovering the culprits?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODMy information is that Michael Walsh was murdered at Galway Docks on 19th instant by five unknown men, and that the body was found in the dock basin yesterday. Every effort is being made to ascertain the identity of the murderers.
§ Mr. E. KELLYHas the right hon. Gentleman had before him the fact that Walsh's house was damaged some time ago by uniformed men, about a month ago, and that some auxiliary police entered Walsh's house the night before his body was found and ordered him to put up his shutters, and has the right hon. Gentleman also seen the report in the "Times" newspaper of to-day in which it is alleged after inquiry by the "Times" correspondent on the spot that the murder was caused by the auxiliary police force which are under the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have no information, and I do not accept as true the allegation that the murder of this man was committed by uniformed men. There is no such force as the auxiliary police in Galway or elsewhere in Ireland. There are members of the auxiliary division of the Royal Irish Constabulary. These men are all ex-officers, and I will not accept, except on the clearest and most conclusive proof, the allegation that any of these ex-officers now serving in the auxiliary division are guilty of murder. It is true that Michael Walsh lodged the preliminary notice of appication for £1,000 for malicious injuries to his shop and goods. There is no evidence—and I have made inquiries—that the injury caused to his shop or his goods was injury caused by servants of the Crown.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes, there is always an inquest into the death of a person found dead in Ireland. The inquest will be by a coroner and jury where it is possible to summon a jury free from intimidation. If not, the inquest is held by a military tribunal of three British officers under the Restoration of Order (Ireland) Act, passed by the House last Session.
§ Mr. KELLYWhy does the right hon. Gentleman not follow that rule in the case of the city of Dublin, where the coroner has actually been prevented from 1057 holding inquests, although there were Jurors in plenty to hold the inquests? Coroners are not allowed to hold their inquests.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am only repeating what I have already told the House, when I say that in cases where a coroner's jury is free from intimidation, we are only too glad to use the coroner and the jury to inquire into the cause of death.
§ Sir D. MACLEANWhile admitting that the Chief Secretary is quite right in not accepting allegations without the strictest proof, may I ask him, in such a case as this, will he not institute an independent inquiry into the cause of the man's death?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn answer to my right hon. Friend, I have had special inquiries made into this case, as I do into every case raised by any hon. Member or right hon. Member of this House, and I am personally convinced that there is not the slightest foundation for the allegation that this unfortunate man was murdered by servants of the Crown.
§ Mr. KILEYCan the right hon. Gentleman see his way clear to give instructions that the inquest on the man in question shall be held in public?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODYes. If the inquest has not already been held, I will see that it is held in public, as most inquests are; in fact, as far as I know, as are all inquests.