§ MR. AUSTIN (Limerick, W.)May I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of an emergency man named Thomas Crawford, in the employment of the representatives of the late Surgeon O'Grady, who was on the 15th May arrested for drunkenness near the town of Abbeyfeale, county Limerick, and for firing a loaded revolver, with the result that a man named Ahearn was wounded in the hand? Is he aware that Crawford was fined 20s. for being drunk, and only 2s. 6d. for firing his revolver, by the magistrates sitting in petty sessions at Abbeyfeale? Is Crawford still permitted to carry loaded firearms? And can he inform the House upon what grounds did the magistrates refuse the application of Mr. Ahearne's solicitor for informations against Crawford?
§ *MR. G. W. BALFOURThe facts are substantially as stated in the question, except that there is no evidence that Mr. Ahearn was wounded in the hand as a result of the discharge of the revolver. He made no complaint in the matter until 309 the 17th of May, and the head constable of police who then examined his hand could find no trace of recent injury. What was pointed out as the alleged wound was a perfectly healed scar. I presume the magistrates refused to send the case for trial because they did not consider that the scar was caused by Crawford. The police took possession of Crawford's revolver on the 15th of May, and Government have since ordered the revocation of his licence to keep firearms.