§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, at the Sheriffs' sale at the farm of Mr. John Butterly at Howth, all the animals put up for sale, with the exception of some pigs, were not disposed of; whether the sales did not realise the sum of £62, the full amount claimed by the landlord; whether the 1663 members of the Emergency Committee present were not all armed; whether, when one of the number was accused of having displayed his revolver, Sub-inspector Heard refused to remove him on the ground that he could not interfere with him unless the revolver was presented at some one; whether any of the members of the Land League were armed; and, whether a single assault was committed on the police or any of the persons engaged in the sale, either at the sale itself or during the procession of many hours' duration from Howth to Dublin?
§ Mr. W. E. FORSTERAs far as I. can ascertain, the facts are as stated in the first two Questions put to me by the hon. Member. With regard to the third Question, I am not aware whether the members of the Emergency Committee present were armed. I have reason to believe that one or two of them—perhaps two or three of them—were armed; but I must remind the House that they were engaged in a perfectly legal occupation, and I cannot be surprised if they did carry arms for their own defence. With regard to the fourth Question, I am informed that one of these persons put his hand in his breast pocket and caught hold of his revolver, and that the sub-Inspector present did refuse to interfere because he had not presented it at anyone. I cannot say whether any members of the Land League were armed. I am not aware that any assault was committed on any person at the sale or during the procession.