§ MR. DAWSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following occurrence:—On the 23rd September, at Newport, county Tipperary, Captain Dickenson, 20th regiment, was charged with firing a loaded revolver at a man named Ryan. The complainant stated that he and some companions were returning to Newport on the 12th September. That the whip of the driver of the car fell. That the night being extremely dark they lit a match to look for it. That whilst so engaged they heard a car coming rapidly on. That they cried out to warn the occupants. Whereupon one of them, Captain Dickenson, fired a revolver amongst them. That the bullet whizzed past his head. That the case was brought before the magistrates. And after a cross case against Ryan for assault had broken down, the bench dismissed the 1190 case against Captain Dickenson for firing, and complimented him for not hitting any one, and, at the same time, cautioned Ryan against crying out so loud for the future; and, whether he will direct an inquiry into the grounds of this decision?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have received the following report in reference to this case. On the 22nd of September last Captain Dickenson, of the 20th Regiment, was charged at Newport Petty Sessions, by John Ryan, with firing a revolver at him on the night of the 12th September, between Newport and Limerick. It appeared in evidence that the night was dark, and Ryan's driver dropped his whip; he got down and lit a match to look for it. Captain Dickenson and Lieutenant Charles drove up at the time; they saw a light suddenly extinguished, and, at the same time, a man leaped out from under the hedge, and, with a loud cry, rushed towards Captain Dickenson; another man rushed towards his horse's head, and Captain Dickenson, believing that they had got into a "moonlight" ambuscade, fired his revolver high over Ryan's head to show that he was armed. Both parties drove immediately to the Newport police barracks and reported the case. The case came before the magistrates, and, after a lengthened hearing, was dismissed by them. The Bench remarked that Ryan was fortunate in meeting so cool-headed a man as Captain Dickenson, as another man would probably have shot him. A cross case, brought by Captain Dickenson against Ryan, for assault, was also dismissed. I do not think any further inquiry is necessary in this case.
§ MR. DAWSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that it is in accordance with the administration of justice to fire revolvers on the highway without notice, and against the law? [Cries of "Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman is not entitled to enter into a debate. He can only ask a further Question arising out of the answer already given.
§ MR. DAWSONsaid, he would ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether he thought it was judicious in Ireland to allow captains in Her Majesty's Army to proceed with loaded revolvers through the country, and to fire merely because they saw a party in the road crying out 1191 merely to save themselves from being driven over? [Cries of "Order! "]
§ MR. SPEAKERIt is not regular for the hon. Member to ask for the opinion of a Minister of the Crown.
§ MR. PARNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he knew whether Captain Dickenson had a licence to carry arms?
§ MR. TREVELYANAs an officer in the Army, he would have a right to carry arms, and I should conclude that, whatever retribution the whole affair deserved, is probably effected by its publicity.
§ MR. PARNELLasked, under what Statute the right hon. Gentleman considered that an officer in the Army was not bound to comply with the Arms Act of last Session?
§ MR. TREVELYANI prefer to answer that Question on Notice. Speaking from my impression, which I am satisfied is a correct one, I think an officer in the Army would have a right to carry arms; but I much prefer to answer the Question on Notice.