§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin, Co., S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that George Freeman, bailiff to Mr. George Brooke, and an emergency man named Woods, employed on the Brooke Estate, came into the village of Coolgreaney on the 5th instant and got drunk; if they then attacked a Mr. Doyle in his own shop; if, when turned out, Woods threatened to use his revolver on the crowd outside, and if Freeman presented a loaded gun at thorn, and was in the act of firing upon them when the police came up and disarmed him; if Woods and Freeman are to be prosecuted, and when; and, if Woods was over prosecuted before for a similar offence, and where?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I am informed that an altercation arose in a public-house on the occasion referred to. Charges are at present pending, and will be heard in a few days, 1223 against Freeman for being drunk in possession of firearms, and against Woods for being drunk and obstructing the police. I cannot say whether Woods has been proceeded against before.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Arising out of that Question, I wish to ask whether this Woods is the same man who presented a revolver at unarmed men in Woodford, and who was denounced by Chief Baron Palles for perjury in the Court at Sligo; and whether, under these circumstances, the licence which this man now holds will be withdrawn?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI really do not know whether Woods is the same man that the hon. Member alludes to or not. The question of the withdrawal of the licence would depend, of course, upon the evidence that was given.