§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to certain statements made by a Mr. Ashton in connection with secret societies, riotous and disorderly conduct, etc., against the inhabitants of the city of Cork; whether a German submarine is situate at Sunday's Well, Cork; and whether he has inquired or will inquire of the constabulary authorities of Cork city as to this matter?
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§ Mr. DUKEMy attention has been called to the statements mentioned in the question. I am informed by the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, that on the Saturday night to which the article referred, Cork City was in a perfectly normal condition, and nothing occurred requiring the intervention of the police. The district inspector reports as follows
There was, with the permission of the police, a flag collection for the poor, and practically everyone, including myself, had bought little red flags and red discs and were wearing them to show collectors that the wearers had already subscribed. There was also a football match between schoolboys from the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers schools, and I believe the boys were taken to the pictures afterwards and were a little lively as schoolboys usually are. I was on the streets visiting beats between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., and thought there were larger numbers of soldiers and civilians promenading the streets—a customary sight in Cork especially on Saturday nights—I saw nothing but good humour. nor did I receive any unfavourable reports from any of my men on duty.I can give no information as to movements of enemy submarines, but the suggestion that a submarine was at Sunday's Well seems an unlikely one.