§ MR. COXI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many agrarian outrages, firing at the person or into houses, have been committed in the County Clare since the 1st instant; how many arrests have been made in connection with these outrages; and how many persons have been made amenable?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that since the 1st 481 instant there have been six cases of agrarian outrage by firing into dwelling houses and one case of firing at the person (agrarian) in the County Clare. There have been 11 arrests made in connection with these outrages, but in one case only has a person been made amenable and returned for trial. In this case some 13 persons were concerned and seven arrests made, but six of these persons were subsequently discharged. In all the cases of outrage active inquiry is being continued and further arrests may be expected.
§ MR. COXMay I ask whether these alleged outrages did not occur in the districts where extra police were located?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think it is very likely. The extra police were sent to districts that were known to be disturbed.
§ MR. COXDid not the cases arise after a question had been asked in the House as to when the extra police would be removed?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot say; but I have given the hon. Member the dates.
§ MR. COXMy point is that as long as extra police are kept in the district there will be outrages, for the police will commit them.