§ MR. THEOBALD (Essex, Romford)I wish to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many of the Moonlighters have been arrested who are reported to have visited, armed and undisguised, the farms of several tenants on the Kenmare estate who had refused to sell stock, or to join the Plan of Campaign, tired shots into the houses, and warned the inmates that if they offended any further they would receive other and more serious visits; and whether he is aware that at one house the Moonlighters shot a horse valued at £45, and also, on Mrs. Moynihans (the wife of one of the tenants) looking through the window, one of the Moonlighters shouted, "Shoot the old hag"?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURSeven men have been arrested on suspicion of having been concerned in these outrages. It is a fact that in one of the houses a horse valued at £45 was shot, and the owner intends to seek for compensation. It is also a fact that threats were uttered. I am not informed whether the precise words mentioned in the question were used.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sensational news in the question was supplied by a Central News correspondent who is a clerk on Lord Kenmare's estate?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy information does not come from that source.
§ MR. SEXTONIs there any reason for alleging that this matter is connected with the Plan of Campaign, or any political proceeding, and how is it that in Kerry, which has been under the Crimes Act for two years, these raids cannot be prevented by the Government.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is difficult to prevent them, owing to the action taken by the friends of the right hon. Gentleman in endeavouring to establish the Plan of Campaign on the Kenmare estate.
§ MR. SEXTONAre not these raids really ordinary raids for liquor and money; and what is the evidence that they are connected with the Plan of Campaign?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is the belief of those who have made investigation.