§ MR. CAREW(for Mr. JORDAN) (Clare, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the statement is true that Colonel Turner, Mr. Cecil Roche, and another, when about six miles from Ennis, met a car loaded by men returning from the fair of Clonroad, who shouted derisively, and that thereupon Colonel Turner and friends drew their revolvers and followed in pursuit; that Colonel Turner ordered a horseman, who was also returning from the fair, to go back or he would shoot him, frequently using the words, "I'll shoot you," and keeping the revolver presented at his head; that, after an unsuccessful attempt to overtake the car, Colonel Turner, Mr. Roche, &c., kept their revolvers presented at the individuals on another car whilst passing them; and, if he will inquire into this transaction, and, if true, will he take steps to prevent such action on the part of the magistrates in the future?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The account I have received of the incident differs wholly from that given in the Question; but if the hon. Gentleman will supply me with the names of the men to whom he refers, I will endeavour to have the whole transaction sifted to the bottom.
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)Is not Colonel Turner, as a Divisional Magistrate, authorized to require the attendance of Mr. Roche at evictions?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am at a loss to understand how that arises out of the Question on the Paper; but I believe the general arrangement of the duties of the Resident Magistrates is left to the Divisional Magistrate.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)Could not Colonel Turner say whether he presented a revolver at any man, then, if he did not know his name?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat implies that Colonel Turner may have presented a revolver at a man who threatened him; but I do not gather that that is the allegation in the Question on the Paper.