HC Deb 25 April 1902 vol 106 cc1328-9
COLONEL M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received any report as to an outrage which occurred near Ballinsloe, County Galway on Thursday, the 17th instant, wherein some eleven head of cattle were found by the herd to have had their tails cut oft during the night, and were bleeding profusely, the beasts being also daubed with paint; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM, Dover)

Yes, Sir, I have received particulars of this shocking outrage. The number of cattle injured was ten, not eleven. No arrests have yet been made.

COLONEL M'CALMONT

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if a meeting of the United Irish League has not been held close to the scene of the outrage, at which resolutions denouncing the proprietor of the grazing land were passed.

MR. WYNDHAM

As the owner of the cattle which have been treated in this abominable way is seeking compensation by legal process, I think it would be improper here to discuss the circumstances.

* MR. DHLANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

May I ask whether this outrage was not committed by the police?

MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us more definite information as to where the outrage took place?

MR. WYNDHAM

It is impossible for me to discuss these questions here. Full inquiry will, no doubt, be made.

MR. ROCHE

I only want to know definitely where it took place.

MR. WYNDHAM

I must decline to go into the particulars at all.