§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that a man named William Coote has paid damages in settlement of an action for boycotting in county Tyrone, he can now state if Coote is to be retained in the commission of the peace; and whether it is intended to prosecute him for boycotting and inciting to boycott.
§ MR. WALTER LONGAs I have already stated in answer to a previous Question upon the same subject, Mr. Coote paid no damages in settlement of the action referred to. He did, before trial, and by way of settlement, agree to make a contribution towards the costs of plaintiff in the action, but on the under standing that all further litigation on the subject was to cease. Subsequently, a second action was instituted in reference to the same matter, and, as an appeal is now actually pending from the decision in the second action, I must decline—until the appeal is determined—to make any further statement in the matter.
§ MR. DILLONIs the right hon. Gentleman sure the second action does not refer to a totally different matter?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIt is a different plaintiff.
§ MR. DILLONI think the right hon. Gentleman will find he is mistaken.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI will inquire again.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Will the magistrate be suspended meanwhile?
§ MR. WALTER LONGNo; that would prejudge the case.