§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which he had given him private Notice, Whether his attention had been drawn to the following paragraph in The Irish Times of the 16th instant—namely,
A daring attempt at murder took place about a mile from Woodford on the 13th instant on a man named Thomas Noonan, a summons-server here. Noonan had left his house for Woodford at about 9 o'clock a.m., and had not gone more than a mile when two men, who were lying in ambush, fired two shots at him. Both missed, as the falling of a stone from off the wall where aim was being taken caused Noonan to look round. He then stooped and miraculously escaped. Henry Bowles, nephew of the famous 'Dr. Tully,' has been arrested and fully identified;and, whether steps would be taken to protect Thomas Noonan and officials in the execution of their duties in that neighbourhood?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Inspector General of Constabulary reports that the circumstances connected with the firing at Thomas Noonan, process server, are accurately set forth in the newspaper statement, with the exception that the occurrence was at about 10 o'clock a.m. Henry Bowles, nephew of the so-called "Dr. Tully," has been arrested, fully identified, and remanded. Noonan is now receiving personal protection. He had, up to the occurrence, persistently refused such protection, although informed by the police that they had reason to believe his life was in danger. They had, however, endeavoured to look after his safety by patrols. Protection is invariably afforded in any case in which the circumstances appear to call for it.