§ MR. LEWISasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the following statement in the "Dublin Evening Mail" of the 6th instant:—
A few nights since nine men with blackened faces went on the property of Captain Newenham, in the vicinity of Croom, county Limerick, visited the houses of the tenantry, and made a raid for firearms, securing eight guns, which had to be peaceably given up to them in the name of the 'Irish Republic.' They also cautioned the inmates, on pain of death, not to pay their rents due on the 25th March;and, if any persons have been made amenable for the offence, if actually committed?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers, and find it is in one or two trifling particulars inaccurate. The number of guns taken was seven, and not eight; it is not true that the inmates were cautioned on pain of death not to pay their rent. I am sorry to say that, notwithstanding the exertions of the police, no persons have yet been made amenable. We have found in this instance, as in many others, the greatest difficulty in arresting persons in consequence of the impossibility of getting information and assistance from the injured parties.