§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has seen a report appearing in the Freeman's Journal of the 22nd instant—namely, that—
A farmer named M'Namara, Secretary to the Crusheen Branch of the Irish National League, was arrested last night at the railway station Ennis…. On asking the reason of this step, the policeman replied that it was because he would not tell what was his business in town for the past three days. M'Namara was then brought before Mr. Hodder, R.M., who also interrogated him as to his business in town. M'Namara asked the Magistrate if he had authority from the Crown to ask such a question. Mr. Hodder said he had not. M'Namara was then released;and, if so, what action the Government proposes to take with regard to the case?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURFrom the Report before me it appears that the statement in the Freeman's Journal is both inaccurate and misleading. The man was a stranger, and was observed by the police to have been associating for some days with the bad characters of the places. He was interrogated by the constable. He was not arrested, but went voluntarily before the Resident Magistrate. The Resident Magistrate did not interrogate him as to his business, but merely told him he might make any statement he desired. He 56 declined to do so unless questioned, whereupon the Resident Magistrate told him he could go. The Government do not propose to take any action.