§ 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held into the shooting, 2035 on 15th May, 1921, of the Rev. James O'Callaghan, a Catholic curate, in the house of Mr. de Roiste, M.P., at Cork, and into the shooting at his house in Cork on the same day of Patrick Sheehan; and, if so, what were the findings of the Court?
§ 13. Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Rev. Seamus O'Callaghan was murdered on Whit Sunday morning in the house of Mr. de Roiste, M.P. for Cork, during curfew hours; that it is alleged that this was done by forces of the Crown; and what action he has taken?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe finding of the Court of Inquiry in the case of Father O'Callaghan was that deceased was shot at Mr. de Roiste's house on 15th May, and that there was no evidence to show the person or persons responsible for the crime. In the case of Patrick Sheehan the Court found wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. I propose to publish certain documents which will throw some light on the murder.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Father O'Callaghan, before he died, stated that he had been murdered by one of the police, and that he knew who his assailant was?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have seen that statement.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask what the right hon. Gentleman means by that reply? Does he not believe it?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI do not believe the fact. Every effort was made by the police immediately after this murder to find the culprits, but all information was refused by the relatives of Mr. de Roiste, who is one of the Sinn Fein Members of Parliament for Cork, and the women who were in the house at the time also refused to give any help to the police. The police did their best to investigate this murder but did not receive any assistance from those occupying Mr. de Roiste's house.
§ Captain BENNHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the published statement of the three ladies who were in the house at the time, and was it taken into account by the Court of Inquiry?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Court of Inquiry can only take into account evidence given before it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the relatives in this case refused to go to the Court because long experience has shown that these Courts of Inquiry are an utter farce?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there was any inquiry into the seven other murders by Sinn Feiners on that day?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODCourts of Inquiry are always held in cases of murder, and I must protest against the allegation of the hon. and gallant Member (Lieut. - Commander Kenworthy) that these Courts are a farce. They are composed of selected British Regular officers, and that is a sufficient guarantee.
§ Captain REDMONDIs it not a fact that these Courts of Inquiry are composed of members of the forces the acts of whose members they are inquiring into.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThat is not true in this case. They are composed of British officers of the Regular Army, and as far as I know no allegation has been made against officers in reference to this murder.
§ Captain BENNIs there the least semblance of judicial appearance about these Courts? Is there cross-examination?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.
§ 55. Mr. HOGGEasked the Chief Secretary whether a man named Thomas Murphy, a well-known republican, was shot while asleep in his house at Foxrock, County Dublin, on 30th May; and what is the result of the inquiry in his case?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest in this case found that the deceased man was murdered by some person or persons unknown. Investigation into the matter is still proceeding.
§ 63. Mr. HOGGEasked the Chief Secretary whether a woman, named Mary Fahy, was found dead in her house at Tullamore, King's County, on the night 2037 of the 19th May; whether an arrest has been made; whether an inquiry has been held: and what is the result?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Court of Inquiry in lieu of inquest in this case found that deceased was murdered by some person or persons unknown. The body was found in a ditch some distance from deceased's residence. An arrest has been made, but the police inquiries are not yet complete.