§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a report in the Times, and other newspapers, of an outrage perpetrated near Ballincollig on Thursday last, by which the tongue was cut out of a horse the property of a farmer named Murphy; whether it is true that Murphy's conduct in trying to get possession of a derelict farm, from which his brother was evicted two or three years ago, has recently been discussed by the local branch of the National League; and whether the maiming of helpless animals shows a tendency to increase in certain districts, and if any special steps can be taken to prevent cruelty of this character?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The Constabulary Authorities report 701 that it is the case that on the night of the 7th or morning of the 8th instant a brood mare, the property of Cornelius Murphy, with foal at foot, was maliciously injured by some person or persons unknown by having her near fore leg broken just above the knee joint and a portion of her tongue cut off. The animal had subsequently to be shot. Murphy's action has frequently been brought before the local branch of the National League by his brother with a view to having him boycotted, but there is no evidence that the branch supported him. The maiming of animals has recently shown a tendency to increase in certain districts, but I cannot yet say whether this is more than the ordinary passing variation which statistics of crime frequently show.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the local branch of the National League immediately after this outrage denounced it in the most emphatic way, and expressed its sincere hope that the perpetrator would be brought to justice.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of that fact, Sir.