§ MR. FINUCANE (Limerick, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Timothy M'Namara, Ballinlaw Athlacca, County Limerick, has four times applied for a gun licence during the past year, and has been refused each time, the gun being a 1135 present made in the presence of Sergeant Kerrish, of Boherard, Limerick, who took charge of the gun until a licence was obtained; and have Lord Fermoy and Mr. Jevers, J. P., recommended Mr. M'Namara for a licence; and, if so, will the licence he granted; and, if not, on what grounds?
MR. J. MORLEYIt appears that the gun referred to was formerly the property of one James Ryan, who had a licence to keep it, and that upon his death in March, 1892, the weapon was handed over to the police by Ryan's wife. It has never been in the actual possession of M'Namara, although the original licence for the gun and a written document consenting to his using it were given to him by Mrs. Ryan in July, 1892. I understand that M'Namara has been recommended for a licence, as stated in the second paragraph; such a recommendation, though valuable, would not of itself constitute a sufficient reason for the grant of a licence, as there are many other circumstances to be considered. However, I shall make inquiry into the matter.