MR. M CAETANI beg to ask the Solicitor General for Ireland, with reference to the case of John White, the bailiff who fired off a revolver in the direction of the girl, Ellen Gorman, on the public road at Woodford, whether it is an offence punishable by fine or imprisonment to discharge firearms in 1576 any street or within 60 feet of the centre of a public road; and whether, considering the information sworn by Mrs. Mary Gorman, the mother of the girl, and the promise made by the District Inspector of Constabulary that the matter would be attended to, he will state why the police have taken no steps against White for the commission of this offence?
§ MR. MADDENThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Mr. White is not a bailiff; but a farmer holding upwards of 60 acres of land. The offence is punishable, as stated, upon conviction. The District Inspector did report the matter to the Divisional Commissioner, who caused inquiries to be instituted, and found that, although Mr. White had acted improperly in discharging the revolver on the public road, he had not done so with the object of frightening the children, nor does he appear to have had the intention of committing any offence. The Divisional Commissioner decided that it was not a case for the police to prosecute.
§ MR. ROWNTREE (Scarborough)May I ask whether it is true that in this case the Magistrates before whom the information was laid bound over the woman to appear and give evidence under a penalty of £20?
§ MR. MADDENIf the hon. Member requires further information, he had better give notice.