§ MR. PARNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that James O'Callaghan, a respectable businessman, of Ross Carbory, county Cork, has been, refused a revolver licence by the resident magistrate of his district, although he has had a licence to keep a revolver for the protection of his house and property during the past sixteen years, and produced good testimonials as to character on the occasion of his application for a licence; whether he is aware that the said James O'Callaghan, who has to travel to the different markets to buy goods, carries a large amount of money, and therefore may require his revolver for protection; 1105 whether the ground for the resident magistrate's refusal to grant a licence to O'Callaghan, is that he received no threatening letter; and, whether this reason is sufficient?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, the licence to carry a revolver was not refused for the reason assigned, that he had not had a threatening letter, but because the licensing officer was of opinion that it was not necessary that the man should carry a revolver. He was informed by the Constabulary authorities that under a former Peace Preservation Act O'Callaghan had a licence to keep a revolver in his house, and the licensing officer informed him (Mr. W. E. Forster) that if the applicant obtained a certificate from a magistrate he should give the case his most careful consideration.
§ MR. PARNELLasked if it was to be understood that a magistrate's recommendation was necessary in applying for an arms licence?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, it was not necessary; but it was advisable in certain cases. He did not think the House would be surprised to hear that in certain cases it was thought desirable that a magistrate's recommendation should be produced on an application for an arms licence. The licensing officer in question said that if such a recommendation were given the application would be carefully considered. No licence to carry a revolver was given to this person before.