§ SIR EDWARD HARLAND (Belfast, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the case of M'Caffrey, who was prosecuted for poaching and firing at and severely injuring a gamekeeper called Porteous on Belmore Mountain, near Enniskillen, the venue in whose trial was removed to Belfast, and who was there convicted in September 1892, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude, if it has come to the knowledge of the authorities that a witness for the Crown called Meehan, a blacksmith in Kiltyclogher, in the same neighbourhood, has since been strictly boycotted; that no person dares to employ him or to be seen speaking to him; that he is being driven to starvation; and that his life is in danger; and if it is true that the police had a report of this case to lay before the Judge at the present Assizes, but that the authorities would not allow the matter to be brought under the notice of the Judge?
MR. J. MORLEYIt is reported that the conviction of M'Caffrey took place at the Belfast Winter Assizes in December 1892, and that Meehan has since been boycotted to the extent that he does not receive any employment from his neighbours. I am informed, however, that the people speak to him as usual, and that he is supplied with the necessaries of life upon paying for them. His life is reported not to be in danger. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, I believe the County Inspector, when waiting upon the Judge before the 1838 opening of Assize, usually explains the state of his county as regards boycotting. In the present instance the County Inspector does not appear to have mentioned to the Judge the case of Meehan, and I am making inquiry as to why he failed to do so. But I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is not true that the authorities had anything to say in the matter.