HC Deb 12 May 1887 vol 314 cc1663-4
MR. COX(for Mr. O'KELLY) (Roscommon, N.)

asked the Chief Secre- tary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention had been called to the refusal of Mr. Turner, R.M., to grant an information against Francis Cooke, a bailiff, charged with presenting a loaded revolver at Mr. Veich Simpson, of Drumsna; whether a number of witnesses swore that Francis Cooke and some companions had driven into the village of Drumsna and called out for Mr. Simpson; whether, when Mr. Simpson presented himself, Francis Cooke drew a revolver and presented it at Simpson; whether Mr. Turner, R.M., refused an information against Cooke, on the ground that— Though the revolver was produced and flourished by Cooke, to the danger of a crowd of persons near Mr. Dalrymple's door, still as there was no actual proof that he presented it at Simpson, he could not return Cooke for trial; and, whether the Government propose to take any further action in the matter?

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

(who replied) said: The Resident Magistrate reports that he did not refuse information on the ground alleged in the Question, but because there was no evidence to prove the charge. The three witnesses produced by Simpson in support of the charge denied that Cooke had presented the revolver at him or anybody else; and there was, therefore, no ground for returning information.

MR. COX

asked, could no prosecution be taken for drawing a revolver in a crowd because he did not present the revolver at any individual in the crowd?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, there was no evidence to prove that the man presented the revolver at Simpson, or at anyone at all.

MR. COX

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire into the truth of the statement that Cooke did draw his revolver in a crowd?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

Will the hon. Gentleman put the Question down?