HC Deb 21 February 1921 vol 138 cc577-8W
Mr. MILLS

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, on 27th January, a party of military and constabulary rounded up a number of residents in the Bandon district in county Cork, marched them to Brinny's Cross, which they declared to be a suitable place for an ambush, and there obliged them to fell trees, knock down high walls, and cut the hedges at the side of the roads; and whether, in view of the frequent occurrences of such incidents in Ireland during the last three weeks, for instance, at Leitrim and Kil-brittain, he will state whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to require forced labour from Irish civilians in aid of the Forces of the Crown?

Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland under what Statute or legal authority are the military authorities in Ireland acting in conscripting all Irishmen between the ages of 17 to 50 into labour gangs, and compelling them to carry out repairs and other works in their district under penalty of death; and whether he will take immediate steps to put an end to this encroachment on their liberty and rights as citizens?

Mr. HENRY

The hon. Member is mistaken in his suggestion that all Irishmen between the ages of 17 and 50 are being conscripted into labour gangs and compelled to carry out repairs and other works under penalty of death. In numerous instances where wanton and malicious damage has been done to public roads with a view to breaking the axles of military and police vehicles so that the occupants might be more conveniently assassinated, persons reasonably suspected of conniving or having knowledge of such damage have been compelled to effect the necessary repair. This is a prac- tical course which, I am quite sure, will commend itself to the good sense of the great majority of members of this House. As regards the incident at Brinny's Cross, I am informed that under the orders of the officer commanding the area the services of some of the residents of the district were procured in removing an elaborately prepared ambush. The walls had been loopholed in several places, and the road had been blocked and a party of rebels had lain in ambush over the previous night with the intent of attacking any of the Crown Forces who chanced to pass. As regards the alleged similar incidents at Kilbrittain and in Leitrim I have not yet received reports, but I have no doubt that the circumstances were very much the same.