§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, at the Potty Sessions held in Athy, on the 20th February, in the case of the "Queen u. Samuel Linton," who was charged with carrying a revolver without a licence in the County Kildare, Head Constable Burke stated he could not proceed without instructions from the authorities; whether such instructions have been given, and with what result; and is Samuel Linton the same person who in December last was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for being found drunk with a fully loaded revolver in his possession?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are these. In December last Linton was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on the charge of being drunk while in possession of a loaded revolver, and the hearing of a second charge of having a revolver without a licence under the Peace Preservation Act was deferred. On the 30th of January, Linton was prosecuted at the instance of the Excise Authorities under the Gun Licence Act, and a fine of £2 10s. was imposed. At Petty Sessions, on the 20th of February, 30 the Head Constable said he was awaiting instructions relative to the prosecution on the charge of having a revolver without a licence under the Peace Preservation Act, and the facts having been brought to the notice of the Government it has since been decided that the case had been sufficiently met by the punishments already inflicted and the forfeiture of the man's revolver. Accordingly, the prosecution under the Peace Preservation Act will not be further proceeded with.