HC Deb 14 April 1921 vol 140 cc1263-9
8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to statements in the Press by the Archbishop of Tuam concerning the murder of a man 60 years of age named Horan, of Partly, County Mayo, on 7th March, in his own house by members of the Crown forces; whether this was a so-called reprisal for an ambush at Partry; and whether any persons have been arrested in connection with the ambush or the murder of the late Mr. Horan?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will postpone this question, as we have not yet got the information.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I shall be very glad to postpone it, but I should like to ask how it is in regard to a question put down a fortnight ago—a very long notice!—about a matter that occurred over a month ago, why the Department of the right hon. Gentleman has not yet got the information?

Mr. HENRY

The delay is not in our Department.

10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now aware that John O'Connor, of Gloundaegh, Tarranfore, County Kerry, was arrested on 15th December last whilst on his way to church and driven away in a motor lorry; that he was beaten while in the lorry, thrown from the lorry into the road, fired on, and wounded; that civilians then carried him into the house of Thomas Brosnan, Threegneves, Currow, Tarranfore, where he was tended by the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, of Killentierna, Tarranfore; that' four officers returned from Tarranfore, to which place the lorry had proceeded, in a motor-car, and on ascertaining from the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan where O'Connor lay wounded, entered Brosnan's house and murdered O'Connor by firing three revolver bullets into his head; whether he is aware that the Rev. J. J. O'Sullivan, Mr. Brosnan, and other eye witnesses are prepared to testify to the foregoing facts on oath; whether an inquiry has been held; whether these witnesses were called; what was the finding; what action, if any, has been taken; and whether any compensation is to be paid to the widow and seven children of the murdered man?

Mr. HENRY

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to his similar question on the 6th instant. No report has yet been received by me.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

The reply to which the right hon. Gentleman referred to said that the inquiry had not been completed? This is a fortnight later. Is the inquiry still sitting, and is the right hon. Gentleman really trying to get the information in this case?

Mr. HENRY

Certainly, but I am not in a position to say exactly whether it is sitting at the moment. It is extremely difficult in these matters to communicate with those concerned, seeing that the roads, telegraph wires, and railways are all cut.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Three months ago!

15. Sir J. BUTCHER

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to the circumstances attending the recent murder of Hugh Duffy, Rockcorry, County Monaghan, a Protestant Army pensioner, who was found shot dead at Moylemuck, two miles from Rockcorry; what reason can be suggested for this murder; and whether anyone has been arrested in connection with this crime?

Mr. HENRY

A little girl found the dead body of Duffy lying in a country lane on the afternoon of the 1st instant. The police were informed and removed the body to their barracks. There were four bullet marks on the head, one near the shoulder and one near the wrist. Duffy was an ex-service man aged 65 years. He was acting as auxiliary postman and was delivering a telegram which turned out to be bogus and which was undoubtedly sent to bring him along the road where his assassins were lying in wait. He was on friendly terms with the police. A slip with the words in type, "Spies and informers beware," was found pinned to his breast. I regret to say no one has yet been arrested for the brutal murder of this old soldier.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

How is it that the right hon. Gentleman can get these details at once when a question is put down by the hon. and learned Member for York, but that he cannot get the information when I repeat a question weekly and monthly?

Mr. HENRY

Because this particular question deals with the County of Monaghan, with which it is comparatively easy to communicate, while the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman deals with County Kerry, which is in quite a different position.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Has the right hon. Gentleman found out any more particulars in regard to this case than he has found out in regard to the other case of the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

16. Sir J. BUTCHER

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to the circumstances attending the murder, on Saturday, 2nd April, of Thomas Morris, aged 68, a pensioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers during the War, and who was taken from his house in the Thurles district by three armed masked men and was shot dead on the roadside near his house and was found with a notice pinned to his breast with the words Convicted Spy; and whether any arrests have been made?

Mr. HENRY

The circumstances attending the murder of Thomas Morris are as follow: He was on a visit to his sister, and was forcibly taken from her house by three armed and masked men on the night of the 2nd instant. The police found his mutilated body on the road about noon the following day. There was a dirty white handkerchief tied across his eyes. There were three gunshot wounds on the body—one in the left breast, one on the left side in the neck, and one in the stomach, through which the bowels were protruding. A card was pinned to the body, and on it was written: "Convicted spy, tried, found guilty, and executed by I.R.A." I regret that no arrests have yet been made.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Is there any reason suggested why he should have been murdered, except that he was a pensioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

Mr. HENRY

There is no suggestion, save that.

Colonel ASHLEY

Are these unfortunate ex-service men and ex-members of the Royal Irish Constabulary given any arms whereby they may defend themselves, and, at any rate, have a chance of their lives? [Mr. LYNN: "No!"]

Mr. HENRY

I think not, except on active service.

Colonel ASHLEY

Will not the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Chief Secretary the desirability of giving these men some chance of life?

Mr. HENRY

The question of giving them arms is considered by the competent military and constabulary authorities on application made to them.

Colonel ASHLEY

Then may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if these men are allowed to apply for arms, and is each case considered on its merits?

Mr. HENRY

That is so.

Mr. LYNN

Is it not a fact that no one can really get a permit for arms in Ireland ac the present time?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Except your party!

22. Mr. MOSLEY

asked the Chief Secretary whether the three men arrested on the charge of murdering Patrick Kennedy and James Murphy have yet been brought to trial; and what action is being taken with reference to those members of the forces of the Crown who formed the remainder of the escort on the occasion of this murder?

Mr. HENRY

The trial of the three men arrested in connection with this murder began on Monday of this week, and is still proceeding. Pending the result of this trial, it is obviously impossible for me to discuss the matter raised in the latter part of the question.

Mr. MOSLEY

As these men have not beeu arrested and the case is not sub judice, can the right hon. Gentleman say what action has been taken with regard to the remainder?

Mr. LYNN

Is it in order to ask a question with regard to men who have been charged with murder, and have not yet been convicted?

Mr. SPEAKER

I understand that this question refers to those who have not been convicted.

Mr. HENRY

I may mention that every effort has been made to secure evidence against any other persons, and even in the case of the three persons before the court-martial one has been acquitted.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman refuse to answer any questions on this matter until these men have been either acquitted or convicted?

Mr. MOSLEY

In view of the fact that the men to whom this question relates have not been tried or even arrested, will the hon. and learned Gentleman state how many men formed this escort, and does he contend that the Department is not aware of the composition of this escort and how many went out? Is the right hon. Gentleman so occupied with his other duties that he does not even know the composition of this escort?

49. Mr. G. THORNE

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the statement made at Dublin Castle on 3rd March that advances of compensation money are made to policemen or their dependants who have suffered personal injuries or damage to their property out of grants which normally went to local authorities, he will authorise similar advances to be made to the innocent victims of outrages by members of the forces of the Crown; and whether, in view of his own admission as to the murder of Timothy Crowley by Cadet Harte, he will order an immediate advance to be made to this man's dependants?

Mr. HENRY

In the particular case mentioned, which was one of murder, the County Court Judge has, I am informed, dismissed the claim for compensation, presumably on legal grounds. The arrangement referred to by which advances may be made out of diverted grants on account of awards made against a local authority is therefore inapplicable. On the general question I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on 9th of March.

50. Mr. GALBRAITH

asked the Chief Secretary what is the result of the inquiries into the death of Mr. John Geoghegan, who was shot by uniformed men at Moycullen; what action has been taken in the case of two policemen, who are stated to have brutally assaulted Mr. T. Fox, of Donegal, on 22nd February; what is the result of the inquiry into the murders of William Loughnane and Laurence Hickey and the attempted murder of four other men on the same occasion at Thurles; and what is the result of the court-martial on the soldier charged with disgraceful conduct in a woman's house at Thurles?

Mr. HENRY

The investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Geoghegan's death are still proceeding. A careful official inquiry has been held into the allegation that the assault upon Mr. Fox of Donegal on the 22nd February was committed by policemen and it has not been found possible to obtain any evidence in support of this charge. The records of the movement of each member of the local police on the evening in question have been examined and the movements of each man have been satisfactorily accounted for. In regard to the murders and attempted murders at Thurles on the 9th ultimo, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the Pontypool Division (Mr. Griffiths) yesterday. The soldier referred to in the last part of the question has now been tried by court-martial and has been awarded 91 days' field punishment No. 2.

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