28. Major BARNESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statement of General Crozier that a report was received by him from an officer who was present at the shooting at Croke Park and forwarded to the proper authority, he will cause searching investigations to be made as to why this report was not put before the Court of Inquiry into this case?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThis report was received, but was not produced at the Court of Inquiry, as the officer who rendered it was himself examined as a witness before the Court.
§ 58. Mr. RENDALLasked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry has been held into the death of John Sheehan, of Collee, Listowel, stated to have been shot dead by members of the Crown forces on the 25th May; and what is its finding?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am still awaiting a report from the Commander-in-Chief in this case.
64. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Chief Secretary whether a prisoner named Patrick White was shot dead at the internment camp at Spike Island, Queens-town, on the 1st June; and what was the reason for this shooting?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThis refers to the martial law area, and I have asked the Commander-in-Chief for a report. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone his question to a later date.
§ 68. Mr. WINTRINGHAMasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that two men named Patrick and James Ryan were taken from their beds in their house at Knockfune, County Tipperary, on the 7th June, and shot, Patrick being killed and James wounded; and that their house was then set on fire and destroyed; and whether the perpetrators of this outrage have yet been traced?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThis refers to the martial law area. I have asked the Commander-in-Chief for a Report, and I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone his question, of which I only received notice on Tuesday, to one day next week.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs it a fact that murders took place in Ireland under circumstances such as this—nearly two months ago—and that they have not yet been officially reported at headquarters?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODEvery murder, every incident, every outrage, is reported to me; but when an hon. Member puts a question on the Paper I endeavour to get as specific and detailed report as possible for that hon. Member.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHSeeing the time that often elapses after the event, could the right hon. Gentleman give the House immediately the official report he received at the time, and say that if further inquiry is desired he will make it?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThat would not cover the various points in the question. These questions are put down, I presume, to elicit the fullest details of any given incident or outrage. I am anxious, only too anxious, to give the fullest possible answer.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the Chief Secretary tell us how it is that in connection with these questions about the martial law area he gives a stereotyped reply, no matter how long the time that has intervened, to the effect that, "This is in the martial law area and I am causing inquiries to be made." If he got a report at the time, why does he not publish it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERA complaint is frequently made that the actual question on the Paper is not answered.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHThe truth is that he has not got an answer.