MR. O'CONNOR POWERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will inform the House on what grounds the sub-inspector of Ballina, aided by a large force of military and police, searched the houses of a number of the principal merchants of that town on Thursday the 16th instant; if it is a fact that the police did not discover anything to justify this proceeding; and, whether His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has, in accordance with the prayer of a memorial from the Town Commissioners, ordered an inquiry into the matter?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, the searches alluded to by the hon. Member were made upon information received. We had grounds for making the search. With reference to the inquiry spoken of, I have received a telegram from the County Inspector stating that such inquiry has been made. The search was made upon private information supplied to the Sub-Inspector of Police. It was made as quietly as possible, and in such a manner as to cause the least possible annoyance and inconvenience.
§ MR. SEXTONWere any arms discovered?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThere were no arms found; but it is a very difficult matter to find arms. While, however, one house was being searched a small keg of revolvers was removed to a house to search which the Inspectors had not got a warrant.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe information of the Sub-Inspector who conducted the search.
MR. O'CONNOR POWERsaid, that person was doubtless interested in the matter. There was no course open to him, in view of that statement, but to take the earliest possible opportunity of calling the attention of the House to the whole facts of the case.