The Labour amendment to the Address demanding a fresh inquiry
into the conduct of the police during the Dublin riots was moved by Mr. George Barnes on Wednesday, and supported by Mr. Handel Booth, who recounted his own experiences, declaring that "a more brutal constabulary was never let loose on a peaceful population" and that the Com- mission was a travesty of an inquiry. Mr. Birrell, in refusing the demand, maintained that the inquiry had vindicated the police. He did not deny that in certain cases, under great provocation, they had lost their tempers; he admitted that some members of the force had acted unjustifiably in invading the tenements in Corporation Buildings, and stated that when they were discovered the offenders would be punished. Com- pensation would be paid to the tenants whose furniture was damaged and to the two men injured by baton blows. But he indignantly repelled the insinuation that the Dublin police were the enemies of the people and that they had deliberately attacked unoffending persons. They were a gallant body of kind, good-humoured men, and looking at these transactions as a whole he thought the House would agree that any city might be proud of them. The amendment was rejected by 233 votes to 45.
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