§ MR. DAVITT (Mayo, South)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to an alleged outrage in West Mayo in the reported attempt to shoot Mr. Vesey Stoney; what steps have been taken by the police authorities towards discovering the perpetrators of the crime; is he aware that the executive of the United Irish League of West Mayo has offered a reward of £50 for information which may lead to the detection of the guilty parties; and, in view of certain allegations made against the police and other officials in the county, charging them with illegality in the discharge of their duties, he will order an open sworn inquiry into these charges, the investigation to be held within the country?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralIt is a fact that Mr. Stoney, a landed proprietor, was fired at when returning home from Castlebar on the evening of March 17. Every possible exertion has been, and will, of course, continue to be, 1279 made by the police to trace the perpetrators of the crime. I have seen a newspaper report of a resolution reported to have been adopted by the organisation mentioned in the third paragraph, which is to the effect stated. I fail to see the connection between the fourth paragraph and the remainder of this Question. If the honourable Member will place on the Paper a Question indicating, specifically, the allegations which he says have been made against police and other officials in the county I will then be in a position to answer his inquiry.