§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Patrick Donnaher, a returned emigrant 1620 just landed from America, who was charged at the Queenstown Petty Sessions on the 23rd April with having firearms in a proclaimed district, and fined 20s. and costs; whether he is aware that Donnaher, who has resided in the United States since he was a boy, stated that he was quite ignorant of the law relating to firearms; and has his attention been called to the fact that in certain parts of the North of Ireland large numbers of revolvers are in the possession of individuals not licensed to carry them; and, if so, will the Constabulary Authorities take steps to enforce the law relating to illegal possession of firearms?
*MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that when Patrick Donnaher landed at Queenstown he was distinctly asked by the Customs official if he had with him tobacco, cigars, spirits, firearms, or ammunition—such being contraband. Donnaher said he had not; but when his box was opened it was found to contain a quantity of cigars and spirits, and on his person was concealed a small revolver. He was prosecuted by the Customs officials for smuggling, and by the police for having a revolver in a proclaimed district. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, it is believed that there are numbers of revolvers in possession of unlicensed persons belonging to all parties and creeds in the North of Ireland, and when such are discovered prosecutions invariably follow.