HC Deb 16 June 1921 vol 143 cc627-8W
Mr. WINTRINGHAM

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the street firing and other disturbances in Athlone in October last; and, if so, what was the finding?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The incidents to which the hon. Member presumably refers were:

  1. (1) The damaging of the Athlone printing works by fire on 19th October.
  2. (2) The murderous attack on Crown forces which occurred later on the same day, and resulted in the wounding "of two officers and two other ranks.
  3. (3) The street shooting on the 22nd, which resulted in the death of a civilian named Michael Burke.

As regards the first of these incidents, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. G. Roberts) on 28th October last. As regards the second, I regret that every effort to trace the culprits has failed. The incident in which Michael Burke lost his life was dealt with in my reply to a private notice question by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division on 26th October last, to which I have nothing to add.

Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Chief Secretary what steps have been taken to apprehend the murderers of John O'Connor, of Gloundaeagh, Tarranfore, on 15th December last, since the military Court brought in its verdict against certain Crown forces?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The Commander-in-Chief informs me that the failure of the witnesses to identify any person in connection with this crime has further delayed action, and at present no arrest has been made. In order to sift this matter to the bottom the Commander-in-Chief has ordered the exhumation of the body of John O'Connor, and the medical report is still awaited.

Mr. KENYON

asked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the death of a man named O'Sullivan, of Blarney Street, Cork, found dead in a field, and whether any trace has been found of the perpetrators?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The court of inquiry in lieu of inquest in the case of Christopher O'Sullivan found that the deceased was murdered by some person or persons unknown. He was an ex-soldier, paralysed, and a loyal man. There is no doubt that he was foully murdered by Sinn Fein. It is regretted that no trace has at present been found of the perpetrators of this callous crime.

Mr. LYLE-SAMUEL

asked the Chief Secretary whether the court of inquiry, in lieu of inquest, into the death of Christopher Reynolds called as a witness Bernard Nolan who was with Reynolds at the time of his death and was wounded on that occasion?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

The answer is in the affirmative.