§ MR. HOOPERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to a report in The Cork Examiner newspaper of a recent date of a series of alleged outrages on the holding of Mr. John Lucas, J.P., Richfordstown House, Clonakilty, county Cork; whether the police authorities of the district have furnished any report upon the subject, and, if so, what action, if any, has been taken in consequence, or is intended to be taken; and, whether, under the extraordinary circumstances of the case, Her Majesty's Government will consider it their duty to order a full local investigation into all the facts?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)I have to acknowledge the receipt of a newspaper cutting which the hon. Member was good enough to send me in reference to this case. The Police Report of the matter having been laid before the late Attorney General for Ireland, he directed that summonses should be issued against Mr. Lucas and his wife on the charge of feloniously setting fire to their house; and I understand that that charge is being heard to-day. The 886 hon. Member will, therefore, not expect me to offer any opinion on the case.