HC Deb 12 May 1884 vol 288 cc8-9
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, seeing that young Waller had firearms in his possession on the occasion of the riots in Perry in November last, he will make inquiry as to whether Waller had an excise licence to carry arms, and, if not, why has he not been prosecuted for a violation of 33 and 34 Vic. c. 57; whether he had special licence to carry arms in a proclaimed district, and, if not, why he has not been prosecuted under the Crimes Act; and, to ask some questions regarding Taylor McCandlers, who was charged with firing a revolver at female factory hands?

MR. LEWIS

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether or not he is aware that the person described in the Question as "young Waller" distinctly denied having had any firearms in his possession?

MR. TREVELYAN

Waller, referred to in the Question, had not an Excise licence, or a licence to carry arms in a proclaimed district. At the time of the riots in Derry, in November last, the names of four persons, members of the Protestant party, including Waller, were mentioned as having arms or filing shots. The names of four persons who took part in the Lord Mayor's Procession were also mentioned as having arms or firing shots. The Attorney General did not consider the evidence satisfactory against either side, as in each instance it consisted of partisans of the other side only, and in some instances the person alleged to have fired shots was the person who made the countercharges. Under these circumstances, and as an important conviction was had, no prosecution will be now instituted against these alleged offenders of either party. As regards Taylor M'Candlers, a bill against him was sent up to the Grand Jury and ignored. No prosecution would lie under the Gun Licence Act or Peace Preservation Act, as the use of the revolver as alleged was in a dwelling-house or its curtilage.

MR. LEWIS

Are the Government satisfied that the person described as "young Waller" ever had firearms?

MR. TREVELYAN

Because, Sir, we are not satisfied we do not intend to prosecute him.

MR. BIGGAR

Is it not the fact that the shot was fired on the footpath of the street, and not within a dwelling-house?

MR. TREVELYAN

No, Sir; it is not the information in the hands of the Government.