§ SIR FREDERICK W. HEYGATEsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether he will state to the House what steps the Irish Government are taking to suppress the recent outbreak of agrarian crime in certain districts of Ireland; and, whether they have any course in contemplation to increase the efficiency of the law and to give that protection to life and property which it is the object of all Governments to afford?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUESir, the Question of my hon. Friend relates to a subject which I need not say demands and engages the constant watch-fulness and anxiety of the Irish Government. My hon. Friend's Question in part refers to new and exceptional legislation upon this subject. Now, Sir, the Government do not shrink, and will not shrink, from legislation upon this subject, however exceptional, if they shall be convinced of the absolute and unhappy necessity for such legislation; and further, provided that such legislation shall, in their judgment, not merely be strong or violent in appearance, but shall be reasonably calculated and likely to attain the end in view—that is to say, the protection of life and property against this peculiar class of offence. But, Sir, we have not proposed to the House such legislation at present, because we have not been able to satisfy ourselves that legislation such as we should be justified in recommending to Parliament would seriously and effectually remove the grand difficulty of the whole matter—the detection of crime and the procuring of evidence sufficient to convict. I venture to say that much has been done in the execution of the law as it stands, and I trust that even more will be done. The vigilance and zeal of the police have been beyond all praise, and the Government have exercised constant watchfulness and care in the use of the powers which they now possess. In every case where life and property are in danger or threatened, they have endeavoured to protect it, and to send a protecting force to every such locality, the expense of such force being generally charged upon the district itself, and I am convinced that much mischief has been prevented. I am sorry to say that we have not yet obtained a 840 conviction in any one of the cases of agrarian murder which have occurred during the last few months, although we have obtained convictions in some important cases of the same kind of lesser atrocity. But many arrests have been made, and, in several cases, suspected persons are likely to be put upon their trial. In one case especially— the recent attempt to murder Captain Lambert, in Galway—there is no doubt that an important prisoner will be placed upon his trial, and I am much mistaken if it is not then found that in that case the police acted with remarkable activity and discretion. The hon. Baronet will recognize that it is not possible to answer a Question of this kind very completely, because in such matters as the detection of crime or the putting upon their trial of men not yet called upon for their defence, any one in my position must speak with considerable reserve. I may conclude, however, by saying that the state of crime in Ireland upon the whole, as shown particularly by the recent charges of the Judges, is satisfactory; and, in spite of the most unsatisfactory condition of certain districts and of two recent attempts at murder, which have been happily unsuccessful, I still have great hope, provided always that no excessive and unjustifiable use of the rights of property be exercised—I mean such as that which produced the outrage in Tipperary last autumn — that the vigilance of the Government, and their constant efforts, which shall not be spared, to use to the utmost all the powers they possess, may keep under this lamentable class of offences.