§ COLONEL MCCALMONT (Antrim, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the charge of Judge Anderson at recent quarter sessions in the County Galway relative to the increase of malicious injuries on that part of the county, as well as to remarks made by. Mr. Gardener, R.M., at petty sessions at Athenry, on Saturday last, as to the condition of that part of the county; and will he say what were the reasons known to the police which induced the district inspector Royal Irish Constabularly to withdraw the cases against three men charged with tiring with intent at a police constable; and whether the Government are taking steps to deal with these incidents?
§ MR. LONSDALEMay I also ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether three men arrested on charges of complicity in the recent murderous attack on Constable O'Halloran at Rockmore, near Athenry, have been discharged from custody; and whether he will state the grounds on which the prosecution of these men has been abandoned?
MR. BRYCEThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I am informed by the police authorities that the prosecution of the three men referred to was not proceeded with because there was not sufficient evidence to justify their furthor detention in custody. If further evidence should be forthcoming, the case will be proceeded with. It is, I regret to say, the fact that the district of Athenry is not in a satisfactory condition. The police are doing their utmost to preserve the peace, and twenty-five extra men from the reserve force have been sent to assist them in that duty.