§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will consent to lay upon the Table of the House a Return of the number of unarmed persons killed and wounded in Ireland since the introduction of the use of buckshot by the Irish Constabulary?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI cannot give the Return as asked for. I cannot admit that persons who use sticks and stones come under the designation of unarmed persons. In the late sorrowful business in Mayo, one constable was beaten so severely that he has died since; and another man was similarly treated. I have no objection to state the facts with regard to the use of buckshot. On the 24th of February, 1880, the late Government applied to the Treasury to sanction the cost of the issue of buckshot to the Constabulary; on the 3rd of March the Treasury gave the necessary sanction; on the 15th of March the first issue was made; the first occasion on which it was necessary to fire was on the occasion of the Dungannon riot on the 16th of August; there have been only two other cases in the county of Sligo since, and I trust no more will occur.
§ MR. A. M. SULLIVANThen I understand the real originators of buckshot were the late Government?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe order was issued by the late Government; the 1014 inquiry was made by the late Government; and the present Government, after inquiry, did not think it their duty to cancel or withdraw the order.