§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Cork, N. E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been called to the conduct of Constable Hourney, of Castlelyons, county Cork, in attempting, by domiciliary visits to the house of Mr. Jeremiah Twomey and by inquiries made of him and of his neighbours, to associate Mr. Twomey with an alleged outrage committed on 8th April at Welshtown, nine miles from Castlelyons; and, have the police any evidence in their possession to cast suspicion on Mr. Twomey, if not, will Constable Hourney be directed to discontinue such proceedings?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy attention has already been drawn to the proceedings in this case by a letter received from the hon. Gentleman himself, to whom I communicated the result of my inquiries on the 5th instant. I fear I have nothing to add to that communication. There is no intention whatever to harass or annoy Mr. Twomey.
§ MR. ABRAHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the gentleman referred to in the Question is an evicted tenant, and that that is the only reason why the police are persecuting him?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir, I am not aware of that.