§ MR. O'DOWD (Sligo, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a band belonging to the district of Geevagh, situate near Ballyfarnon, county Sligo, whilst out for practice on St. Patrick's day, was deliberately fired on by a man named Conlon;and that a policeman, who was present, seized the gun, but afterwards gave it up to Conlon, who fired a second shot at the crowd; and, if so, whether the authorities mean to prosecute this man.
§ (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed by the police authorities that on the occasion referred to a band and its followers passed near the house of a man named Conlon, hooting and groaning with the apparent object of intimidating him. Conlon's son rushed out with a gun, but did not fire. The gun was taken from him by a policeman. After the band had passed on the policeman returned the gun, and subsequently a shot was fired in the air from Conlon's house, apparently in bravado. The 254 band was a quarter of a mile away at the time. It is not intended to institute a prosecution in the case.