§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many cases of moonlighting, agrarian and non-agrarian, took place in County Cork between 22nd August, 1892, and 1st May, 1893, and between 22nd August, 1891, and 1st May, 1892, respectively; and if he can account for the great increase in moonlighting which has taken place in the Counties of Clare, Limerick, and Cork since August last?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Outrage Returns do not distinguish between oases of moonlighting and other outrages; but an examination of the official record shows that in the County Cork the number of outrages committed between August 22, 1892, and May 1, 1893, and falling within the category of crime described as moonlighting, is 12, of which four were agrarian and eight non-agrarian. In the period from August 22, 1891, to May 1, the number of moonlighting outrages in Cork was five, of which three were agrarian and two non-agrarian; in the corresponding period of 1890–1 the number was 13. As regards the concluding portion of the question, experience shows that outrages in the Counties of Clare, Limerick, and Cork fluctuate from time to time, and are confined to a small area in each county. These outrages have all been designated in the Returns under some one of the following heads — namely, firing at the person, firing into dwellings, robbery of arms, house attack, intimidation, or aggravated assault. The number of moonlighting outrages in County Limerick were stated on Friday as follows:—From August 22, 1892, to April 30, 1893, nine agrarian, eight non-agrarian—total, 17; from August 22, 1891, to April 30, 1892, one agrarian, no non-agrarian—total one. As regards Clare, the number of such outrages between August 22, 1892, and May 1, is 19, made up of six agrarian and 334 13 non-agrarian cases, and in the corresponding period of 1891–2 the number was 10, consisting of six agrarian and four non-agrarian cases.
§ [Mr. Arnold-Forster put a supplementary question, which was quite inaudible in the Gallery.]