§ 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary the result of the inquiry held into the deaths while in police custody of James Looby and William Delaney, of Cashel, on 18th December; whether an inquiry has been held into the death of Lawrence Looby, brother of the above, on 19th December, and with what result; whether he is aware that the police who arrested James Looby were masked and in civilian clothes; and that Lawrence Looby was murdered by a party of men similarly attired and disguised?
§ Mr. HENRYThe finding of the Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest in each of the three cases mentioned was that the deceased was shot by the military who fired in the execution of their duty; that the deceased was himself to blame in that he attempted to break his arrest while in the lawful custody of the military, and that no blame attached to the military authorities or to any member thereof. In 2039 view of these findings the latter part of the hon. and gallant Member's question does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the excuse for detaining these men in custody that they were attempting to escape is discredited both in Ireland and, to a great extent, in this country?
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the officers of the Crown in this case were in mufti?
§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a report of the shooting and killing of Henry Guy, an ex-soldier, who served nearly all through the last War, and the shooting and wounding of two children named Joseph Arnold and Robert Magee, aged 14 and 15, respectively, by auxiliary police on the afternoon of 6th March; whether this man and the children were in a football held at Saxe Lane, Sutton Cross, County Dublin, when they were fired on; whether any compensation will be paid to the relatives; and, if so, by whom?
§ Mr. HENRYThe finding of the Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest in the case of Henry Guy was that his death was caused by gunshot wounds inflicted by members of the auxiliary police, who fired in the execution of their duty. According to the police reports the deceased was one of a crowd of men who were collected in a field at Sutton off the main road from Dublin to Howth, about 3.30 p.m. on the 6th ultimo. A patrol of auxiliaries in a motor tender while proceeding along the road observed the crowd and called upon them to halt and hold up their hands. Instead of complying with the order the crowd attempted to disperse, and the auxiliaries thereupon fired, killing Guy and wounding two boys aged 15 and 16 respectively. It was subsequently found that the crowd was unarmed, and the consequences of the shooting, which was considered by the Court of Inquiry to have been justifiable in the circumstances, having regard to the constantly repeated 2040 attacks upon Crown forces in Dublin, are much regretted. The question of making some compensation to the mother of Henry Guy is under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the field where this tragedy occurred "had been lent for the purpose of football by a naval officer who has property in the neighbourhood, and does the right hon. Gentleman really maintain that these forces are justified in firing at football crowds under these circumstances?
§ Mr. HENRYIt is extremely rare that a crowd of that kind would assemble without attack being made on the forces of the Crown.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I press for an answer? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this field, through the benevolence of this naval officer, has been used for years for football by young men in the neighbourhood and that they always gathered there?
§ Captain REDMONDHas the Attorney-General ever been to a football match?
§ Captain REDMONDYou know nothing about it?