§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) what steps have been taken to bring the Orangemen who fired revolver shots out of the train, at Newry, on 12th July, to justice; (2) will he state what inquiries are made into the characters of members of Orange lodges to whom licences are issued to carry firearms; (3) and why licences are refused to farmers in County Longford.
§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down Co., S.)At the same time, may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of the resolution adopted by the Newry District Council with reference to the failure of the authorities to make amenable the persons responsible for firing revolvers from trains passing to and from Warren-point, County Down, on the occasion of the Orange demonstration there on 12th July; whether he can state if the authorities have concluded their consideration of the steps necessary for preventing a recurrence of these incidents; and, if so, what precautions will henceforth be taken; and whether he can now state what further proceedings will be taken against the processionists who were 284 identified as firing in Newry, on whom revolvers and ammunition were found, and whom the local magistrates discharged.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe police exercised the utmost vigilance to detect breaches of the law by persons discharging revolvers from railway trains in motion. Patrols were placed along the line, but no information has been elicited, I regret to say, which would lead to the identification of the guilty parties. This dangerous practice is not confined to one section or party in the North of Ireland. The question as to the precautions to be taken best calculated to prevent a recurrence of the practice is engaging my personal attention in consultation with the Irish Authorities. Two men were identified as having fired shots on the 12th inst, in the public streets. I have already stated that the charge preferred against one of these men for firing with intent to maim was not substantiated. Proceedings are impending against them at Petty Sessions on the 6th August on other counts. The applications of all persons for licences to carry firearms in districts proclaimed under the Peace Preservation Act are separately and carefully considered. The persons against whom proceedings are pending had no licences. Sixty-eight licences were granted in County Longford during the past year, and only seven were refused.