§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to riots by soldiers in Belturbet on the 3rd instant, in which they, to the number of about thirty, armed with stable forks, fireirons, &c, attacked and dangerously wounded several peaceable citizens; how did these men get out of barracks; what steps, if any, were taken by the officer in charge to quell the riot; whether an inquiry into the whole case has been made by the military authorities; and, if so, what punishment was awarded; whether the Constabulary authorities considered the affair of such consequence as to demand the presence of additional police force in the town on the following day, with the view of protecting the inhabitants, as the soldiers in question once before threatened to wreck the town; whether on Sunday the 4th, the magistrates who had taken the depositions of one of the injured men refused to deliver up to the custody of the Constabulary the soldiers sworn to have been participators of the riots; and, whether the police entered their protest against the conduct of the magistrates in thus departing from the usual custom in cases of aggravated assault?
MR. CHILLERSAs the Question refers to the conduct of the military, I will answer it. The reports of the disturbance at Belturbet are so conflicting that a special Report has been called for as to the whole facts of the case. As cross-summonses in the matter appear to have been issued, it would not be at present for the public interest to give any further information as to the action of the military and civil authorities.