HC Deb 23 June 1921 vol 143 cc1531-3
Mr. DEVLIN

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention: has been called to the burning of the village of Knockcroghery, county Ros- common, on Monday night last, 20th June; whether a force of armed and masked men arrived in the village in motor cars, and without giving the occupants of the houses an opportunity of dressing or removing any of their property, proceeded to burn the building; whether a fusillade of rifle and revolver firing was carried on during the operations, the inhabitants having to fly from their burning homes into the fields in their night attire; whether only three houses in the village escaped destruction; and what steps have been taken to bring to justice those responsible for this barbarous outrage?

Mr. HENRY

According to a police report which I have received, a party of armed and disguised men invaded the village of Knockcroghery about 1 a.m. on the 21st instant, and proceeded to burn a number of houses in the village. The occupiers of the houses were turned out in their night attire, and were not given any opportunity of saving any part of their property. The report does not state that a fusillade of fire was carried on during the destruction, but mentions that one man was fired upon though not injured. The inhabitants of the village are not able to identify any of the persons who committed these outrages, but the matter is being carefully investigated by the police and military authorities.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House what is the character of investigation that is taking place into this outrage?

Mr. HENRY

Inquiry has been made through the Royal Irish Constabulary and the military authorities in reference to this matter. The Royal Irish Constabulary are very actively engaged in trying to trace the perpetrators.

Mr. DEVLIN

As we have not the slightest hope that anything will come out of this investigation, may I ask, as he has now admitted, that a whole village has been practically destroyed by armed men in the dead of the night, whether he will appoint an impartial inquiry to investigate this matter and try and get at the truth about something in Ireland?

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Were there any of these assassinations or murders in the neighbourhood just before this occurred?

Mr. HENRY

No, not in that neighbourhood. General Lambert was murdered about 10 miles away, on the other side of Lough Ree.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take steps to have some impartial tribunal appointed to inquire into this wholesale destruction of an Irish village? We have not been able to find the malefactors guilty of any of these crimes by these tribunals which he sets up, and we want to get at the truth about something in Ireland.

Mr. HENRY

It will be necessary to try and ascertain the perpetrators before there can be any question of an inquiry.