DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1662, 14 September 1887, Page 2

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

[rBUTRR's TELEGRAMS - OOJTBIGHT.]

London, SsptemW 12. A serious affray has taken place m county Clare, Ireland, between a party of moonlighters and the police. In the course of the fight the head constable of Ennis was killed. The police finally succeded m arresting eight of the moonlighters. O'Brien to-day was taken to Cork, where he was charged with inciting tenants to resist the law. He was remanded and imprisoned, bail being refused. London, September 13. In the Commons last night a debate was raised by Sir W. V. Harcourt on affairs fn Ireland, In the course of his remarks, Sir W, Harcourt declared that the stopping of meetings was a flagrant act of illegality which Englishmen would neVer stand. Mr Gladstone took part m the debate, and concurred m the views expressed by Sir W. Harcourt. In reply the Chief Secretary for Ireland retorted that during Earl Spencer's term of office no fewer than 130 meetings had been stopped. The resignation of Sir Redvers Buller was not owing to any difference with the Government, but consequent on his return lo the Horse Guards. The police, added Mr Balfour, were perfectly justified m the defence of their lives m firing upon the people, and the Government he declared, would persist m firmly upholding the law. Messrs Labouchere and Dillon, who were witnesses of the affair m Mitchellstown insisted that the police were the aggressors.

[special to Press Association] , London, September 12. The latest reports of the riots at Mitchellstown show that the casualties were exaggerated. One person was killed, two are dying, and fifty were injured, most of the latlter being policemen. In the House of Commons, Mr Sexton challenged the Government to justify Mr Balfour's assertion that Mr Condon incited the meeting to exclude the official reporter. Official reports stated that the police when attacked retreated to their barracks. They were again attacked, when they fired m selfdefence, the rioters incurring just retribution.