§ MR. DANE (Fermanagh, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that serious riots occurred at Dromore West, County Sligo, on the 18th instant, when the police were distributing the voting papers for the election of a Poor Law Guardian; that the Rev. J. J. Kelly, P.P., led a riotous mob upon the occasion; that the Riot Act was read; and that it required the presence of the County Inspector and two District Inspectors with a force of 100 armed men to subsequently collect the papers; is he aware that the Rev. J. J. Kelly, P.P., was, upon a former occasion, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, but subsequently released on a plea of ill-health; and whether the Government has taken any steps in connection with these riots?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy right hon. Friend has requested me to answer this question. From the information in the hands of the Irish Government it would appear that the facts are correctly stated. The question of proceeding against the persons identified as taking part in the rioting in now under the consideration of the Chief Secretary.
§ MR. M. HEALY (Cork)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that some years ago this House passed a Bill enabling these elections to be conducted by ballot, and that it was thrown out by the House of Lords?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have no doubt that statement is correct.
§ MR. ASQUITHHe was ordered to find sureties to keep the peace, and in default of doing so was sent to prison. He was released by Lord Ashbourne, Lord Chancellor under the late Government.