§ MR. KENNEDYOn behalf of the hon. Member for Carlow, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 8th of June last a gamekeeper named Rutledge, in the employment of Mr. R. P. Beresford, J.P., County Carlow, was detected by Sergeant Burke, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, discharging firearms in the street of Fenagh; that, notwithstanding that Sergeant Burke took Rutledge's address in presence of the bystanders, no further proceedings were taken to prosecute him at the local Petty Sessions; can he state by what authority was the prosecution dropped; and will he take steps to revive it?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that the gamekeeper on the occasion 367 referred to was in the act of crossing the public road (not street) from one field to another when he discharged the gun at some magpies. He stated he was not aware he had infringed the law, and expressed regret at the occurrence. Under the circumstances, the District Inspector did not consider it desirable to institute a prosecution.
§ MR. KENNEDYasked if the man had been a poor peasant and not Mr. Beresford's gamekeeper would he not have been summoned?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say that. The gamekeeper was duly licensed to carry a gun, and was stated to be perfectly sober at the time. The District Inspector, in my judgment, if I am rightly informed of the facts, used a wise discretion.