§ MR. T. D. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can state the number of persons searched by Policemen and Marines in the public-houses of Dublin since the passing of the Prevention of Crime Act; and, the number of firearms and treasonable documents found upon the persons so searched?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe number of persons searched in public-houses is 545. There were no arms or treasonable documents found on any of them. I do not wish to diminish the significance of that fact; but I would remind the House that these searches were made, for the most part, at a time when no arrests had been effected, though it was known that a very considerable number of murderous weapons were in the City of Dublin. Searches in public-houses have not always been fruitless in Dublin. On the 16th of December the public-house of John Lawless was searched, and two guns, one revolver, a double-barrelled pistol, a bayonet, dirk, and pikehead, together with some gunpowder, were found. There have recently been found in the River Liffey and on streets four revolvers, 233 rounds of ball cartridge, six rifles, 13 knives or daggers, some bullets and percussion caps, and a bayonet, probably thrown out and got rid of in consequence of apprehensions 552 on the part of the persons in whose possession they were that their premises or persons might be searched.