§ MR. O'KELLY (Roscommon, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any steps will be taken by the police to prosecute Francis Cook for riotous conduct at Drumsna on the 2nd of March, and for presenting a revolver at Mr. Veich Simpson and a number of persons drawn together by Francis Cook's riotous conduct; Whether this Francis Cook is the same man who some time ago was arrested for shooting a child in Mohill; and, whether an inquiry will be ordered into the conduct of the police in not prosecuting Cook for disturbing the public peace?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said, at the trial of the case the witnesses produced by Mr. Veich Simpson charged Cook neither with presenting a revolver at him or at anybody else. The police stated that no disturbance took place on the occasion referred to, and the sergeant at Drumsna said he did everything to facilitate the prosecution. It was the same Francis Cook who, five years ago, was arrested for shooting at a child in Mohill. He was not put on his trial at the ensuing Assizes, as the Grand Jury ignored the Bill sent up against him. The Irish Government did not consider it necessary to interfere further in the matter, as they considered that the constabulary had done their duty in the matter.
§ MR. O'KELLYasked, if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman was aware that the Judge before whom this case was brought stated that the man had produced a revolver, but he was not sure that he pointed it at this particular man; but he was sure that he had produced it and presented it at the crowd.
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he had answered the Question put before him—whether he was charged with presenting a revolver at Mr. Veich Simpson?