§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it has been brought to his notice that one John M'Cormick, a farm servant in the employment of Mr. Philip Hall, of Templehouse, county Sligo, has been committed by the magistrates of the Petty Sessions District of Coolaney, in that county, to stand his trial at the next assizes, on two charges, namely, the mutilation of a heifer belonging to his employer, and the writing and posting of threatening letters addressed to his employer and to himself; whether this M'Cormick was in the habit of communicating with the local constabulary, and whether he gave them any pretended information with reference to outrages or intended outrages, and received any reward, in pursuance of a constabulary circular inviting such information, and offering such rewards, issued whilst the right honourable Member for Bradford was Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; whether the circular in question continues to be still in force; and, whether M'Cormick lately caused the arrest of two young men named Healy and Cawley, on a charge of rob- 1701 bing him of a pistol, and whether the charge is to be proceeded with?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe matter referred to in this Question has not been brought to my notice; but on seeing the Question when it appeared yesterday morning I at once telegraphed for information. In reply I have received a report by telegraph from the Sub-Inspector at Ballymote, stating that John M'Cormick has been committed by the magistrates to stand his trial at the next Assizes on the two charges mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member. The Sub-Inspector further states that this man did not communicate anything to the local constabulary, and gave them no information with reference to outrages or intended outrages, and received no reward, nor was he promised any. He did lately cause the arrest of the two men on a charge of robbing him of a pistol and for assault, on which charges they have been bailed to appear at the next Petty Sessions.
§ MR. SEXTONasked if the charge would be proceeded with on the evidence of M'Cormick?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, the information in this case would come before him, and he should decide whether the charge would be proceeded with or not. If the charge was sustained by the information he would direct a prosecution.