§ 26. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a letter, dated 31st March, 1921, sent to him by Alderman Marie O'Donovan, sister of the widow of ex-Mayor O'Callaghan, of Limerick,' enclosing copies of letters addressed to the Press by that lady on 14th and 30th March, 1921, stating that Mrs. O'Callaghan has evidence in her possession which, if brought before an impartial jury, would bring home the guilt of the murder of her husband to the individuals responsible, and asking for such a jury; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. MacVeagh).
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman given any further consideration to setting up what he describes as a fresh and independent inquiry? What sort of inquiry will that be? Will it simply be another military inquiry by the same people, or will it be a form of judicial inquiry?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe same inquiry, but I guarantee it will be a perfectly independent tribunal.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider a military tribunal on which the local commanders of troops in this area are sitting to be an independent tribunal? Is that his idea of an independent tribunal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly it is. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the military in that area Are exceedingly anxious to get the facts, -and they set up a thoroughly independent tribunal.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lady in question is prepared to furnish proofs, as she alleges, of the assailants and assassins, and does he not think it worth while to try and meet her, and to set up, at any rate, a judicial inquiry apart from the military, if he wants the matter cleared up?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis will be a judicial inquiry.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODWill there be a legal member of the Court?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe there is a legal member of every Court.