§ MR. POWER (Waterford, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, on what grounds was James Graham, head gamekeeper to Lord Ashtown, who was sentenced at petty sessions, held on l2th November, at Ballymacarberry, county Waterford, to a month's imprisonment for presenting a revolver at a man named Ryan, released after fourteen days' imprisonment; is he aware that James Sands, under gamekeeper to Lord Ashtown, was, at the same sessions, sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment for assaulting Ryan, and that Sands has been returned for trial on the charge of shooting at and wounding a man named Hyland; and whether, considering the conduct of these men, and the state of feeling in the district produced by their action, the licences to carry arms now held by these men will be withdrawn.
MR. BRYCEI am informed that the facts are as stated in the first two inquiries of the Question. Graham was released after fourteen days imprisonment by order of the Lord-Lieutenant. It would be contrary to practice to state the reasons which influence His Excellency in exercising his prerogative in such cases. The question of revoking Graham's licence to carry a revolver is at present under consideration; and the similar case of Sands will be considered upon the conclusion of his trial, which is taking place at the current assizes.
§ MR. POWERIs it a fact that the alleged offence against Ryan for which he was so savagely attacked was the snaring of a rabbit?
§ CAPTAIN DONELANWho is considering the matter of the gun licence?