§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the case of a Protestant and loyalist farmer named Robert Geelan, of Curry-granny, Newtownforbes, County Long-ford; whether he is aware that Mr. Geelan has been boycotted for some months past because he refused to become a member of the United Irish League or to subscribe to a fund collected locally by the league for the defence of cattle-drivers, that he has been unable in consequence to buy or sell cattle in the local markets, and has been compelled to obtain provisions from Belfast; and whether any action has been taken by the Crown to afford relief to Mr. Geelan from this system of organised boycotting.
§ MR. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to the case of Robert Geelan, who is boycotted. The police are doing everything in their power to protect and assist Mr. Geelan, and the question of a prosecution in connection with the case is under consideration.