§ MR. T. D. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will be so good as to direct the release of Mr. William Eiliff, who was arrested on the 24th of April, and is now detained as a suspect in Enniskillen Gaol, the district from which he was taken being perfectly quiet, and other persons from the same neighbourhood who were arrested at the same time having been released some weeks ago?
§ MR. TREVELYANWilliam Eiliff is detained under the Protection of Person and Property Act on reasonable suspicion of shooting at with intent to murder. His case comes on for reconsideration to-day.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. John Vine, photographer, of Athenry, County Gal-way, who had come to Loughrea, County Galway, for the purpose of seeing some 1538 friends, was arrested as a "stranger" by Head-constable Payne, Loughrea, at eleven o'clock last Sunday night, and was remanded for a week to Galway Gaol, and upon what evidence, and by what magisterial power, this process was accomplished, seeing that the Crime Prevention Bill had not yet passed into Law; whether his attention has been called to the following statement in the "Freeman's Journal" of the 14th instant:—
The condition of Loughrea is deplorable. The markets, which were very good, have latterly dwindled down to nothing. The country people are afraid to come in, as the police are arresting every stranger on suspicion;and whether, in order to guard against such effects as those described, the Irish Executive will issue instructions as to the Police administration of the Crime Prevention Act?
§ MR. TREVELYANJohn Vine was found under very suspicious circumstances after midnight in the public streets of Loughrea. He was a stranger, and refused to give his name or any account of himself, and was arrested under the ordinary powers of a peace officer under suspicion of being about to commit a felony. He is at present in custody on remand, pending inquiries which are being made regarding him. There is no foundation for the newspaper statement quoted in the Question. The Sub-Inspector of Constabulary stationed in Loughrea informs me that the markets are as large as they usually are at this time of the year, and no stranger has been arrested there except Vine. Consequently, no such instructions as those alluded to in the final paragraph of the Question are called for.
§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, On what conditions Mr. Francis Gentleman, of Ballybunnion, was released from Kilkenny Prison?
§ MR. TREVELYANThere were no conditions imposed on Francis Gentleman on his release. He was released with a warning, on the ground of his health failing.