Mr. O'CONNOR (by Private Notice)asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the notice given to Judges Bodkin and Cusack not to hear any charges against the forces of the Crown will be withdrawn, as an unprecedented interference with the action of the Civil Courts, and as depriving the Irish people of any opportunity either of independent investigation or of compensation for the losses inflicted on them in life and property by the forces of the Crown; whether a body of soldiers were placed in the court house for the purpose of intimidating the Court into obedience to the military order?
§ Mr. HENRYThe Proclamation in question, which applies only in the martial law area, does not bear the interpretation placed on it by the hon. Member. It is merely intended to restrain persons whose property has been destroyed by direction of the military governor by virtue of the powers conferred upon him under martial law from claiming compensation for the destruction at the expense of the ratepayers of the county, and also to restrain persons from bringing purely frivolous action solely for the purpose of seditious propaganda based on false and fabricated charges against the Crown forces. The 1523 answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.
§ Captain W. BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman say what redress is open to innocent victims of these burnings if they are not permitted to sue in the ordinary way in the County Court?
§ Mr. HENRYThat is met by the general proclamation, which provides that, by authority of the military governor, they can proceed as usual.
§ Captain BENNWhat redress is open to a person whose property is destroyed by the Crown forces, if that person does not receive permission from the Crown authorities to sue in the Court?
§ Mr. HENRYIt is merely adjourned. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, in four counties the local authorities have absolutely refused to pay any compensation whatever. It is merely a delay, and not one which affects the persons concerned.