§ MR. SMITH-BARRY (Hunts, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that on Monday, the 17th inst., a serious outrage and encounter between the police and the people took place at Bodyke, in the County of Clare, in which firearms were used on both sides; and that this is the second case of firing at the police and those under their protection in this locality during the month; and whether any steps have been taken to put a stop to the use of firearms against the officers of the law?
§ MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, I wish to ask whether it is not the fact that the disturbances at Bodyke are the direct result of the action of the landlord in suddenly refusing to give those reductions in judicial rents which he allowed before the present Government came into power; and whether the Government will take steps to prevent this landlord from causing these disturbances by demanding impossible rents.
§ *MR. SPEAKERIt appears to me that there is some matter of argument in that question.
§ MR. W. REDMONDThen I will content myself with asking whether the disturbances were not begun in consequence of the sudden refusal of the landlord to grant the same reductions in judicial rents as he had allowed for several years before the advent of the present Government to power? I wish to ask, also, whether he is aware that the shooting in this district was commenced by emergency men armed with Winchester repeaters and liberally supplied with drink?
*MR. J. MORLEYIn reply to my hon. Friend, I understand that, as a matter of fact, Colonel O'Callaghan did refuse to make a customary abatement. Not on Monday, the 17th inst., but on the previous Saturday night, some shots were fired in the direction of the protection post on the Bodyke property, which were returned by the police and caretakers. None of these shots took effect. The previous case of firing referred to was, in the opinion of the police, an act of bravado, as the shots did not appear to be directed at the police or bailiffs. Steps were at once taken to prevent the use of firearms in this manner, and on two different occasions since the last occurrence bailiffs have been engaged, under police protection, in the same locality in executing the law, during which no shots were fired. It is believed that the steps thus taken will prove effective.