§ MR. KENNEDY (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been found on investigation that the alleged malicious injury to a heifer at Woodville, County Kildare, was caused by the animal herself scratching off the scab which had formed on her skull after she had been dishorned by her owner?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneI understand that there are circumstances which in the opinion of the local police now suggest that the injury to the heifer may have been caused by accident, and was not due to malice. Moreover, the owner of the animal has not yet, I am informed, decided to claim compensation. The matter is receiving careful investigation.
§ MR. KENNEDYAre we to understand that the answer to the hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green on the 4th of June to the effect that this was an outrage was incorrect?
§ MR. J. MORLEYMy answer on the 4th of June was to the effect that there were circumstances pointing to malicious injury, but other circumstances have since come to light which are consistent with the suggestion that the injury was caused by accident, and the matter is now receiving the attention of the police.