§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that Maurice Doyle, of Inchiquin, who was recently evicted from his farm on the Ponsonby estate, was brought last week before two Stipendiary Magistrates, Messrs. Gardiner and Redmond, at Castlemartyr Petty Sessions, on the charge of having a single barelled gun without a licence, and whether he was fined 10s. by them; whether the gun in question was found by the police in the removal of furniture and other articles at Doyle's eviction; whether the weapon was an old gun covered with rust; whether it was proved to have belonged to Doyle's brother, Denis Doyle, who had recently gone to America; whether District Inspector Ewart stated that Denis Doyle had a licence for a single barrelled gun; and, under what Act was the prosecution taken?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.),in reply, said, the Inspector General of Constabulary reported that the reply to paragraphs 1, 2, and 5 was in the affirmative. The weapon was an old pattern and 742 rusty; but it was serviceable. It was not proved to have belonged to his brother; but Maurice Doyle did make a statement to the magistrates to that effect. The prosecution was under 44 & 45 Vict. c. 5, and 49 & 50 Vict. c. 24, and 50 & 51 Vict. c. 20.
§ DR. TANNERasked, whether Denis Doyle did not take out a licence for this gun 18 months ago?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he gathered that Denis Doyle had taken out a licence.
§ DR. TANNERWas it not proved that it was the same gun?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo; I gathered that was not proved; but I do not know.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)Was guilty knowledge proved against the man condemned?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI suppose the man knew he had the gun, and under circumstances which made it illegal for him to have it. I believe a licence for a gun only lasts for one year; therefore the licence taken out 18 months ago would be invalid.
§ DR. TANNERasked, was it not a fact that Denis Doyle left the country within the 12 months, and accordingly could not have taken out a licence again. He would also ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether the gun, when found, was not all covered with rust, and in a bundle of rubbish amongst a number of articles which were being removed from an out-house during the scene of an eviction; and whether, under these circumstances, it was fair to fine the young man for having it in his possession?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have stated the gun was rusty, but also that it was serviceable; therefore I suppose the licence ought to have been obtained for it.
§ DR. TANNERWould the right hon. Gentleman undertake to fire it off?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!