§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can explain to the House how it was that Hannan, an Orangeman who, on the 25th January, drew his revolver and attempted to shoot the sentry at Omagh Barracks, Tyrone, was released on bail, and only punished by a fine, whilst Lawrence Kenny, who fired at a soldier who was not on duty, at Mullingar, was sentenced to penal servitude for life, the offence in the latter appearing to be less serious?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, Hannan was not tried on a charge of attempt to murder, and I am advised that the evidence would not have sustained such a charge. He was tried on a charge of having arms in a proclaimed district, and was fined by the magistrates in the exercise of their discretion. In the case of Lawrence Kenny there was a deliberate attempt to murder, and he was tried and convicted accordingly.