§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it is the fact that Mr. G. J. Stephens, of Leskinfin, Gorey, when recently applying for an arms licence, was first asked if he belonged to the Land League, and, having replied that he did when it was legal, the magistrate then inquired if he had subscribed to the fund for the suspects; and, upon stating that he did, was told that it was illegal, and, in consequence, was refused a licence; and, whether the Government approve of refusals to grant licences on such grounds?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)The local magistrates refused a certificate to Mr. Stephens; and the resident magis- 878 trate, who was the licensing officer, refused him an arms licence. These magistrates, in doing this, exercised the discretion with which the law has invested them; and even if I had the power, which I have not, I should not think of interfering with them, or reviewing their action in the matter.
§ MR. HEALYThat is no answer to my Question. Attention had been called to the circumstance that people had not arms with which to defend themselves against "Moonlighters," and yet licences were denied them when they wanted arms.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)thought it quite sufficient to say that the magistrates had exercised their discretion. It was not in his power to review what they had done, nor to ascertain their reasons if they gave any further decisions; but, so far as he could give an opinion, he thought that if there were fewer arms in Ireland, and the facilities for obtaining them much less, it would be much to the advantage of the country.