§ MR. DILLONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. John Houlihan, of Roscrea, was arrested on 4th November 1881, on a charge of inciting to Boycott; whether he is still detained in Kilkenny Gaol; whether, if convicted on said charge, his imprisonment would have been much shorter; and, whether he will be now released?
§ MR. TREVELYANMr. John Houlihan was not arrested as a punishment for the crime which he was reasonably suspected of having committed, but because his being at large in the district was not considered consistent with its peace. That is the essence of the Protection Act as compared with the Prevention of Crime Bill. The Lord Lieutenant has recently considered his case, and decided that he cannot at present be released with safety.