§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any information is in the hands of the Government with respect to certain recent acts of disorder and outrage in the village of Windgap, Rossenany, county Kilkenny; whether, with regard to the following several acts: kicking at doors, and calling offensive names, at midnight; firing shots into the house of a man named Jackman; breaking of windows in the house of a man named Purcell; and cutting of harness and destroying property on the highway; representations and tenders of evidence, connecting a certain individual with those offences, were repeatedly disregarded by Sergeant O'Beirne, of the local police force, while he persisted in searching the houses of respectable farmers, members of the Land League; and, whether he will now take steps, by due inquiry on the spot, to make the guilty party or parties amenable?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I am informed that in November last a shot was fired into the house of a man named Jackman, and a few days afterwards he received a threatening letter warning him not to work for a man named Purcell. The latter is unpopular, because, in pursuance of an agreement, he holds a farm as security for money lent to a neighbour. There has been no more recent act of disorder or outrage of a serious character in the district. The cutting of harness and destruction of property referred to were of a trifling character, and are believed to have resulted from a drunken quarrel. The injured person refused to give the police any information, although he stated he knew who did it. No representations were made to Sergeant O'Beirne, nor evidence tendered to him connecting anyone with these offences; but he has used every endeavour to trace the offenders. The houses of two men who do not bear a good character were searched for 300 arms. I see no ground for ordering any special inquiry with regard to the matter.