§ SIR BERKELEY SHEFFIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenent of Ireland whether he has received police reports to the effect that, for a considerable time past, a number of men in the district of Ballinageeragh have been hiding from the police in order to escape arrest from warrants issued against them on a charge of riot at an eviction; whether repeated efforts have been made, under circumstances of hardship, to execute those warrants; and whether he is taking steps to ensure that the King's writ shall run in county Cork.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask him whether he is aware that the persons referred to in the Question have voluntarily surrendered to the magistrates some days ago, and that the case is now sub judice?
§ MR. BIRRELLThat is practically what I was about to say. The offence referred to, which took place in September last, consisted in a riot on an evicted farm, but not at an eviction. Five of the offenders were dealt with at the last winter assizes. Others against whom warrants were issued succeeded in evading arrest, being assisted by the difficult and mountainous nature of the country. Two of these have recently been apprehended, and twelve have surrendered to the police; and the case against all these persons is now Sub judice. The two remaining accused persons are believed to have left the country.