§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that Frank O'Dwyer and Edward O'Dwyer, sons of William O'Dwyer, farmer, of Ballydavid, near Bansha, were dragged from their father's house by uniformed men on the night of the 18th October and shot dead; that shots were fired into the bedroom whore the aged father and mother were lying; that on the same night Patrick Doyle, of Bally gar, near French Park, County Roscommon, was dragged from his house and shot by uniformed men who arrived in motor lorries; whether he still accepts responsibility for these acts; and, if not, what steps are being taken to punish the perpetrators and prevent their repetition?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)The circumstances attending the deaths of the two brothers O'Dwyer are at present under investigation by a military court of inquiry, and, until the finding of that court is known, I am not in a position to make any further statement. The death of Mr. Patrick Doyle has already been investigated by a court of inquiry, which found that Mr. Doyle met his death by a gunshot wound inflicted by some person or persons unknown. The whole available evidence was carefully considered by the court, and, in view of the fact that their finding contains no charge or imputation against the forces of the Crown, the latter part of the question does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the court which investigated the case of Mr. Doyle was largely composed of the people who are responsible in this part of the country for the conduct of the armed forces of the Crown, and can he tell me whether the court which has inquired into the deaths of the brothers O'Dwyer is also composed of the persons who would be accused if these charges were brought home?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe answer to both supplementary questions is in the negative. These military courts of inquiry 1735 are composed of at least three British officers of the Army in Ireland, and are selected according to the customary rota of the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.
§ Major O'NEILLIs there now any censorship upon news coming from Ireland published in the British press, and, if not, in view of the fact apparently that most of these charges are without foundation, would it not be desirable to take some steps to see that they do not get into the press in the way they do at present?
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously state to the House that the people of this country are to accept a tribunal of convicted persons, or the leaders of them, to decide these matters which are in controversy; and will he prosecute the journals in this country that are publishing these statements, as he is prosecuting Irish newspaper proprietors? May I ask whether some of these statements are not made by Unionist papers—organs of the present Government? Will we have an impartial inquiry into all these things so that the public may be able to judge for themselves?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn answer to the very long series of supplementary questions, it is impossible to deal in supplementary answers with a series of allegations, as to every one of which I deny the accuracy.
§ Mr. DEVLINI will raise this question on the Adjournment to-night.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI will be there.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn reference to the case of Patrick Doyle, who died from gunshot wounds, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he himself has read the minutes of evidence of that court, and will he tell me there is no evidence to show—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member must put those questions down.