§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY (by Private Notice)asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he has any information concerning the shooting affray between two parties of police at the Shannon View Hotel, Castleconnell; what are the names of the men killed and 1690 to which police formation they belonged; whether the landlord of the hotel, Mr. Denis O'Donovan, was taken outside the hotel and shot; and whether the family of Mr. O'Donovan are to receive any compensation?
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR (by Private Notice)asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether it is a fact that yesterday at Castleconnell, County Limerick, the landlord of the Shannon View Hotel, Mr. Denis O'Donovan, was shot by a party of auxiliaries; and whether grenades were thrown through the windows of the hotel and a Lewis gun trained on the bar, which was wrecked. Also whether Temporary Cadet Pringle and Sergeant Hughes were killed in the struggle, and one Royal Irish Constabulary constable wounded. Whether means are being taken to put an end to such scandalous lack of discipline on the part of the forces of the Crown, and when the transcript of the notes of the trial of the three cadets for the murders of Murphy and Kennedy will be ready, and if they will then be published?
§ Mr. HENRYAccording to a police report which I have received a party of Auxiliaries in plain clothes under the command of an officer entered the Shannon Hotel, Castleconnell, on the 17th instant for the purpose of searching it for suspects. Outside the hotel they observed three bicycles standing against the door and on entering they were informed that these bicycles belonged to three strangers who were in the bar. They thereupon rushed the bar and ordered the three men to hold up their hands. The latter, who were a sergeant and two constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were proceeding on leave in plain clothes, thought that the Auxiliaries were members of the Irish Republican Army, and on being challenged at the point of the revolver at once opened fire. Both parties continued firing until the sergeant was killed and one of the constables was wounded. The other constable then made a rush for the door accompanied by the hotel proprietor. Mr. O'Donovan, and in doing so the hotel proprietor was killed and the constable captured. It was only then that the parties discovered their mistake. One of the Auxiliaries a temporary cadet was also killed during the fight. The report 1691 adds that the statements which have been made to the effect that Mr. O'Donovan was taken out into the yard and shot in cold blood are emphatically denied by the Auxiliaries. There is no mention of grenades being thrown through the windows of the hotel or of a Lewis gun being trained on the bar, and I have asked for a further report with reference to these allegations.
In regard to the latter part of the question of the hon. Member for the Scotland division (Mr. O'Connor), I would point out that the court-martial of the three members of the Crown Forces charged with the murders at Drumcondra was open to the Press and to the public. I see no ground for taking the unusual course of publishing the official shorthand notes of the proceedings.
§ Captain REDMONDCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether it is a fact that before the Easter Recess, it was stated on behalf of the Government, that consideration would be given to the suggestion which came from several quarters of the House that these Auxiliaries should be placed under strict military discipline? I desire to ask the Attorney-General now, whether consideration has been given to that suggestion and if so, what is the decision, if any, which the Government has come to on the matter?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill the right hon. Gentleman clear these bullies out of Ireland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis hardly arises out of this question.
§ Captain REDMONDMay I point out that this state of affairs has arisen owing to the lack of discipline in the Auxiliary forces, and therefore perhaps I may be allowed to suggest that the inference does arise that it is because of their want of discipline that such a state of affairs exists?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMay I point out that if the hon. and gallant Member wants to put a question on general policy to the Attorney-General for Ireland or to anybody else, he ought to give notice of it in the ordinary way, and if it is of a very pressing nature, and he will give notice to me, I will see whether. it can be allowed at the conclusion of questions.
§ Mr. O'CONNORMay I ask if Mrs. O'Donovan will be precluded from coming before a county court judge to ask for damages for the loss of her husband under these tragic circumstances, or will she be prohibited by the recent order of the military authorities against any such cases being heard?
§ Mr. HENRYI have already explained that the Military Governor will allow any case, save the classes I mentioned yesterday in my reply, to come before the county court judge.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWith regard to the shorthand notes of the Drumcondra court-martial, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Noble Lord in this House yesterday accused one of the Crown witnesses who gave evidence of perjury, and does he not think it very desirable therefore that the full shorthand notes should be laid on the Table of this House?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMight I ask for an answer to the part of my question asked at the same time with regard to the Castleconnell shooting?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI made an explanation by your permission, Mr. Speaker, yesterday at the end of questions that I had had no communication of any sort from Michael Collins. [An HON. MEMBER: "Not direct."]—and the insolent remark has been made twice to-day—
§ Mr. SPEAKERSir William Davison.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman's tone is not such as commends itself to me.