§ Mr. SHEEHAN (Kerry, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, at Kilgarvan, County Kerry, on the 9th instant, a poor man named Samuel Downing was fired at by a Captain Taylor and his son, and brutally beaten by Captain Taylor with his gun, who left him (Downing) insensible on the road; whether the authorities have taken any steps for the arrest of Taylor and his son; whether the presiding magistrate at Kilgarvan Petty 715 Sessions Court, on 15th instant, refused to grant informations; and, whether a magistrate of the county (in Kenmare) refused to grant Downing information or a warrant for their (Taylors') arrest, although a gentleman well-known to the magistrate said he would make an affidavit that Taylor absconded?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The circumstances, which are not accurately described in the Question, are about to form the subject of judicial investigation, as the police have received instructions to prosecute Captain Taylor for assault in the event of Downing failing to proceed himself. I cannot, therefore, make any detailed statement on the subject at present.