§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the night of 24th March some cattle belonging to Mr. Murphy, of Gloves, near Athenry, were houghed, and others had their tails cut off; whether he has any official information as to the cause of this outrage; if any arrests have been made in connection with it; and what steps he has taken or intends to take to enforce the law in this district.
§ MR. WALTER LONGOn the night of 24th March, sixty-seven cattle, the property of Mr. Murphy and others, were driven off two farms at Gloves, and were found roaming two miles away on the following morning. Three of them were cut on the back—one severely. No cause can at present be assigned for the 323 outrage. No arrests have been made by the police, but they are carefully pursuing their inquiries into the matter. As already stated, I have called for a special report as to the condition of this district, which is engaging my earnest attention.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)Were any of these constables on this station ever under the direction of Sergeant Sheridan?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Is it not the fact that not a single policeman was on duty this night, as they were all engaged in a spree in the police barracks?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have no information of that. I should be sorry for my hon. friend to cast such an aspersion on the police unless he had some definite information.
§ MR. SLOANI, too, should be sorry to do so. I ask for information, but if I give some to the right hon. Gentleman will he inquire.
§ MR. WALTER LONGCertainly.
§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)asked if a public meeting had not passed a resolution protesting against these slurs on the district.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! These Questions are not in order.