HC Deb 05 March 1886 vol 303 cc18-9
MR. MACARTNEY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a man named Patrick Finlay was shot dead on Wednesday at Woodford, county Galway; whether he had been boycotted for several months for having paid his rent to Mr. Lewis, of Ballynakill, county Galway, whose house was blown up in December last; and, whether he had been afforded police protection?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)

Patrick Finlay, process server, was shot dead at Derrycraig Wood, near Woodford, in county Galway, on Wednesday, the 3rd instant. Finlay, I am informed, had been obnoxious since the middle of December last, in consequence of having served processes on Sir Henry Burke's property, and also on the property of Mr. Lewis, whose house was attempted to be blown up in December last. Since the 26th of that month Finlay had been constantly watched by the police, and an escort accompanied him when leaving his residence; but on the day of his murder he evaded the vigilance of the police by leaving his house unobserved through the back door in order to proceed to a wood to cut timber for firewood, and in the wood he was afterwards found murdered.

MR. GILL

I should like to ask, Sir, whether there are not circumstances mentioned in to-day's London papers which would suggest that the death was accidental?

CAPTAIN M'CALMONT

And I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there are not circumstances which show the connection between this "death" and the National League?

[No reply.]