HC Deb 21 April 1887 vol 313 cc1412-3
MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that Mr. Jeremiah Hegarty, a magistrate, of Mill-street, Cork, was shot at and seriously wounded on Saturday, the 16th instant; if he will narrate the circumstances that preceded the attempted murder; and, if any person or persons have been apprehended for the crime? I also wish, to know whether it is the fact, as stated in The Times of this morning, that Mr. Hegarty has written a letter in which he says— I have no hesitation in attributing this outrage to the slanderous attacks made on me by The Cork Herald and by Dr. Tanner.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

Before that Question is answered, I wish to ask you, Sir, whether it is in Order for the hon. Member opposite to read from a newspaper, in the form of a Question, a quotation which every Member must see casts a grave reflection on a Member of this House? I ask, you, Sir, if it is in Order?

MR. SPEAKER

I have not seen the terms of the latter part of the Question, which is put by the hon. Member on his own responsibility. If it should prove to be in Order it ought to be put in the presence of the hon. Member for Mid Cork.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said: I am unable to answer the latter part of the Question, which is not on the Notice Paper. But, in reply to the part which appears on the Paper, I have to say that Mr. Hegarty was shot at and wounded as stated. He had proceeded to Cork by a morning train, and returned by the train reaching Millstreet at 8.35 p.m. His son and a servant were awaiting his arrival with his conveyance. On driving out through the gates leading to the road from the railway yard he was fired upon. No arrests have so far been made.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

asked, Whether it was true that a large number of policemen were on the road where Mr. Hegarty was shot?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, he was not aware of that; but he was informed that a large number of suspicious persons were seen on the road.