§ 19. Mr. WATERSONasked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry or inquest has been held either by the military or police on the bodies of the two men killed at Ballymacelligot on 12th November, 1920; and, if so, what is the nature of the Report received, and if no inquiry has been held what are the reasons for such inaction?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODA military court of inquiry in lieu of inquest has been held to investigate the circumstances attending the death of Patrick Herlihy and John MacMahon at Ballymacelligot on 12th November last. The Court found that on that date these men were in the vicinity of Ballymacelligot with about 30 other civilians, that they were ordered to halt by the police, that they did not do so, and were accordingly fired at by the Royal Irish Constabulary, thereby suffering gunshot wounds; that the deceased were to blame for not halting when challenged to do so by the Royal Irish Constabulary, and that no blame can be attached whatever in these matters to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
§ Mr. WATERSONWill the right hon. Gentleman say on what date that inquiry took place?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have not the date here, but I will communicate it to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of the facts about the conditions under which these two men were killed have been challenged; that whereas the right hon. Gentleman said there was a trench ambuscade, there never was a trench there, and there is no sign of one; and that whereas he also said that 70 men were in the ambush, the creamery is not big enough to hold half that number of men? Is he also aware that the original of the photo of the creamery published by his Department is at least 100 miles away from Ballymacelligot?
§ Mr. SPEAKERA detailed question like that surely ought to have some notice given of it.
§ Mr. LAWSONI am asking the right hon. Gentleman about a matter which is involved in this question with which he has dealt, and I think I have a right to ask him if he is prepared to stand by the whole of the. Report which is mentioned here.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member will put these details on the Paper he will get an answer.
§ 20. Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Chief Secretary whether, in spite of the fact that the prisoners in Ballykinlar camp had received express permission from the English officer in charge of the camp to hold conversation with prisoners in an adjoining camp provided they did not approach to within a certain distance of the wire which separated them, and that this condition was observed, the action of a sentry who fired upon a group of prisoners in order to make them stop talking, thereby killing Patrick Sloan and Joseph Tormey, was described as justifiable homicide by the military court of inquiry?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe hon. Member is entirely mistaken in thinking that permission had been given for internees in one camp to communicate with those in another. On the contrary, such intercommunication had been expressly forbidden in published Orders. I strongly repudiate the suggestion in the last part of the hon. Members question that a military court of inquiry do not conduct their proceedings impartially and fairly.