HC Deb 05 September 1887 vol 320 cc1142-3
MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on the morning of Sunday the 22nd ultimo, Major Lidwell, of Dromard House, County Tipperary, went, accompanied by other persons, to the farm of one of his tenants, Patrick Stapleton, and, by the use of an explosive, blew up a bridge connecting the farm with the public road; whether, in consequence of the explosion, a woman named Kennedy was struck on the temple by a stone; whether Major Lidwell returned to the place after dark the same evening, and, by another explosion, completed the destruction of the bridge; whether he then proceeded to the house occupied by Mrs. Stapleton and her children, threatened to "blow them and their house into the elements," and also threatened some neighbours who came to the assistance of Mrs. Stapleton, that he would make them suffer; whether Mrs. Stapleton immediately reported the case to the local police, and has been since informed by them that they are awaiting" instructions from the authorities; "whether Major Lidwell adjudicates as a magistrate in the Templemore District; and, what determination has been come to upon the case?

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

(who replied) said, this Question only appeared upon the Paper this morning; and he must, therefore, ask the hon. Gentleman to postpone it whilst he made inquiry.

MR. SEXTON

said, surely the right hon. and gallant Gentleman was aware that he raised the question in debate in the House several nights ago, and that the offence occurred a fortnight since?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I cannot allow the word "offence" until an offence has been proved. When the hon. Member mentioned the matter in the House I did make some inquiries; but I have not received sufficient information to enable me to give a reply to his Question.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to give Notice that I will expect a definite and conclusive reply to-night on the Report of the Vote for Law Charges and Criminal Prosecutions?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow mo to say to what extent my information goes. The hon. Gentleman says that a stone bridge was blown up. My information is that it was a temporary bridge composed of sleepers. All the information I have received so far is in favour of Major Lidwell; but I did not think it right to give that information, which is only from one source, without making further inquiries in order to test its accuracy.