HC Deb 02 May 1882 vol 268 cc1940-1
MR. TOTTENHAM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is correct, as stated in the "Times" of the 1st instant— On Friday night the house of a bailiff named Thompson, living at Oula, county Limerick, was attacked by a party of men, who fired three shots, and posted threatening notices on the door; and, if any one is in custody on suspicion of having committed the offence?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, I am informed by the Inspector General that no information has been received of this alleged outrage. I must again say that it would be very convenient if hon. Members would wait a day or two before they ask Questions about what appears in the newspapers.

MR. TOTTENHAM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the report which appeared in the Dublin Press of Saturday last is correct, to the effect that— Late on Thursday night a party of men disguised visited the farmstead of Michael Harney, at Belnamullia, near Athlone, county Roscommon, and set fire to his house, the occupants at the time being in bed. Some passers by aroused the inmates, and, having procured help, succeeded in extinguishing the fire before any material injury was done. Harney had paid his rent; and, whether the Government have reason to believe that the fact that Harney had paid his rent, as is stated in the report, was the cause of the outrage? Also, Whether it is true, as stated in the telegraphic news of the 1st instant, that another murder was perpetrated in the county of Cork, on the night of the 30th April, the victim being a man named John Keefe, and whether any arrests have been made in connection therewith; whether it is also true that the house of a farmer named Martin, near Limerick, was attacked on the same night by a party of Moonlighters, who were driven off by those in the house; whether any of the assailants were injured by the defenders; and, whether any arrests have been made?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I believe it is a fact that Michael Harney's house had been set on fire, but I am not yet in possession of the particulars. It is also a fact that a man named John Keefe has been murdered in County Cork. Two men have been arrested—his brother and nephew.