§ Mr. HARTSHORNasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that near Boyle, county Roscommon, on 16th November, a party of police fired on a motor car, wounding two of the 612W passengers; whether there was any reason for firing beyond that the car did not stop when challenged; whether police in Ireland are empowered to fire upon and perhaps to kill passengers in a motor car, the driver of which does not stop when challenged; if so, under what Act of Parliament; and whether, in view of the indignation aroused in the locality, the policemen concerned will be suspended from duty pending an impartial inquiry?
Mr. HENRYThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question. One of the occupants of the car was Patrick O'Hegarty, Sinn Fein organiser, for whose arrest the police held a warrant. A party of police, nine in number, were stationed on the road 5½ miles from Boyle, two of the men being 50 yards ahead of the main body. The motor came along the road and was called on by the advance party to stop. Instead of obeying the car went faster and dashed through the cordon of police. Shots were fired to disable the car. It is not proposed to take any action.