§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether Mr. William Blood, of Cranaber, County Clare, was twice fired at within the past 12 months while under protection of the police, first on the public highway in the middle of the day, and secondly into Mr. Blood's house while he was sitting at the fire; what was the pattern of the bullets found in the house and alleged to have been fired; whether any investigation as regards the police on protection duty was made; and, if so, with what result: and whether any arrests were made in connection with either of the alleged outrages? In putting this question, I wish to know why the language of it has been altered from that which appeared in the Votes, and was distributed to Members on Friday morning, and who is responsible for the sub-editing of it?
§ *MR. SPEAKERI am not aware; but, if necessary, I will make inquiry.
§ MR. MADDENThe Constabulary Authorities report that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The bullets found were of ordinary make, and not of any special pattern. No investigation was made into the conduct of the police in connection with the outrages, nor was there any necessity for such. Three arrests were made in connection with the first outrage, and one in connection with the second.
§ MR. COXHow does the right hon. Gentleman account for the answer which he gave to a question of mine on Thursday last, that there were no persons under police protection in the County of Clare?
§ MR. MADDENI gave the information which was supplied to me.
§ MR. COXWas there not a man arrested and charged with the outrage on the ground that he was an evicted tenant of Mr. Blood's?
§ MR. MADDENI believe that there was a man charged.