§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held 1255W into the shooting of Cecil and Aidan O'Donovan, of Blackwater Woods, County Clare, on the 20th February; and whether arrests have been made?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Court of Inquiry in this case found that death was due to misadventure, that the deceased had been shot by Crown forces in the execution of their duty and that the members of the Crown forces were not to blame for opening fire. According to the military evidence, these unfortunate lads were at Blackwater Mills (a place reported to be used by rebels for drilling purposes) when the Crown forces arrived to carry out a search. Together with eight or nine men who were also there, they disregarded the order to halt and began to run away, with the result that they were fired at and killed.