§ MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that for several hours of two days of last January Mr. Henry Bruen, resident magistrate, Mr. R. J. Carden, J.P., Mr. George Ryan, J.P., and some Militia officers blocked the public road leading from Templemore to Borrisoleigh by discharging fowling-pieces at pheasants, and thereby prevented many persons in charge of horses from passing; and, seeing that this is a common practice of these gentlemen during a part of the shooting season each year, will he take measures to prevent a recurrence.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is true that the several gentlemen named stood for a period of about ten minutes on two separate occasions in January last on that portion of the public road which runs through one of the coverts in Sir John Carden's demesne. It is not true, however, that any person was prevented from passing. The circumstances have been greatly exaggerated, but, even comparatively harmless as they were, it is to be regretted that Mr. Bruen was concerned in them.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIs it not illegal to fire a gun on the public road, and do the Government intend to take any notice of the conduct of this resident magistrate, who in all cases concerning law and order is not only expected to preserve the peace, but also to set a good example?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI do not think the hon. Gentleman heard me say that this road, although a public one, ran through a private covert. Certainly, some notice ought to be taken of what occurred, and I consider I have taken notice of it by the reply I have given.
§ MR. ROCHEasked whether firing was not actually prohibited within thirty yards of public roadways.
§ MR. WYNDHAMsaid he had not looked up the law on that point, but was perfectly aware that no one was allowed to fire a gun in a public road. But in this case the road ran through a private covert, and in similar circumstances he was not certain that he had not done exactly the same thing himself. The practice, though, was a reprehensible one, especially for anybody concerned with the administration of the law.
§ MR. ROCHEremarked that it seemed no one could fire in the public road unless he was a resident magistrate.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)Or an Orangeman who can fire in the public road or anywhere else he likes.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. CREAN (Cork, S.E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this very resident magistrate has fined farmers for a like offence?
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENSatan reproving sin!