§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of a meeting held at Killavullen on the 7th instant, at which Thomas Barry, a Poor Law Guardian, publicly stated that the two persons whom he recently denounced as having signed a Petition against the Government of Ireland Bill, and whose house was subsequently burned, were his own personal opponents; whether Barry has been 1049 already twice convicted, once for being drunk and disorderly, and once for systematic and organised boycotting; whether Barry, at the meeting referred to, invited the ratepayers of the diserict to contest, inch by inch, and to the end, the claim of the persons whose house had been burned, to any compensation; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to stop any further persecution of the two persons who have been denounced by Barry?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneI have seen a newspaper report of the statements contained in the first and third paragraphs. The question whether the burning was malicious or otherwise will be one for consideration at Presentment Sessions; and, the matter being thus sub judice, it is obviously inconvenient to discuss it in this House. As regards the fourth paragraph, the local Police Authorities will take such steps as they may deem necessary.
§ MR. CARSONDid not Barry denounce these persons for signing Petitions against the Home Rule Bill?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI said I had seen the newspaper report.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI did not catch the words of the right hon. Gentleman. May I ask whether he answered that portion of the question in which I inquired whether Barry had been twice convicted?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI did not answer that portion of the question, because I conceived that whether the man was convicted or not has nothing to do with the matter. It is rather unfair, on putting a question on another matter, to refer back to bad antecedents, if bad antecedents there be.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERBut may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is not aware that one of the previous convictions was for a precisely similar offence to that now alleged—namely, boycotting and persecution of innocent persons?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI am not aware, from the reports I have seen, that the present is a case of organised boycotting.
§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork)Were Barry's convictions under the Coercion Act?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N. E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the convictions was under the disinterred Statute of Edward III.?
§ [No answer was given.]