HC Deb 25 October 1916 vol 86 cc1139-40W
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain why, notwithstanding repeated promises to the contrary, collections for the relief of sufferers by the Irish insurrection are prevented by the police in some places and not interfered with in other places; and whether he will have either one practice or the other followed uniformly henceforward?

Mr. DUKE

There has been no police interference with the collection of funds forbonâ fide purposes of relief. Complaints in the matter have been received in two cases only, in which it was found the police had acted under a misapprehension.

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary if he will ascertain and state the fate o Miss Keogh, a school teacher, of Gorey, who was arrested in Dublin in the week of the insurrection as the Countess Marcievicz, brought into Trinity College grounds with the assistance of Provost Mahaffy, there again charged with being the Countess Marcievicz, and has not since been seen by her friends; whether she was shot as Countess Marcievicz; if so, where her remains were buried; and, if not, where is she?

Mr. DUKE

I am informed that the lady to whom the hon. Member appears to refer is pursuing her usual avocation near Gorey. For refusing to comply with the challenge of a soldier in the street in Dublin during the rebellion she was arrested and detained for some hours. So far as I can learn, there is no other foundation in fact for the statements in the question.

Mr. HOGGE

asked the Chief Secretary whether the editor of the "East Mayo News," at present lying in Reading Gaol, has ever been brought to trial or ever had a charge served upon him; and whether the crime alleged against him is that of refusing to insert a recruiting advertisement?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

If the hon. Member is referring to Patrick Joseph Doris, this man was interned under Regulation 14 B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, on the recommendation of a competent military authority, on the ground, which was communicated to him, that he is of hostile associations and is reasonably suspected of having favoured, promoted, or assisted an armed insurrection against His Majesty. He had full opportunity of stating his case to the Advisory Committee, who recommended his continued internment. I have no knowledge of his having refused to insert a recruiting advertisement.