SIR HENRY FLETCHERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the burning of a labourer's house near Mallow, reported in the "Cork Constitution" as follows: —
There are circumstances attending upon the burning of the labourer Looney's house near Mallow, on Friday last, as reported in our columns of Saturday, which present features of incredible barbarity. It appears that this poor family, having barely escaped being burned to death in their humble homo, were first compelled to watch helplessly while the little they possessed was being consumed in the flames, no one coming to their aid, and many hours after were found by the magistrate crouching by the side of the public road half naked and without 1753 food, because, being under the ban of "boycotting," nobody was courageous enough to afford even the infant of a month old, who formed one of the miserable party, any succour;and, whether the above facts are true; and, if so, whether any steps have been taken to lessen the state of intimidations apparently prevalent in the district?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have had a report on this case from the Sub-Inspector of Constabulary, who was present on the spot the morning of the occurrence. As usual in such cases, the newspaper account is somewhat exaggerated. The poor people had their clothing on, and were able to save some few articles of furniture. The youngest of the children is 10 months old, not one month, as stated. They received assistance from one of the neighbours only, and the Sub-Inspector sent them some bread from the Constabulary barrack. They are now under shelter in a place called "Dan's Castle," in the vicinity, and pending the erection of a police hut near the scene, a party of police have been quartered in the castle, which is the only available house in the vicinity.