§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement of Mr. Justice Wright at the Leitrim Assizes on Thursday that there are in the county three families consisting of fourteen persons wholly boycotted, and seven families consisting of twenty-two persons partially boycotted; that in Dowra and other parts of the county there was practically a state of lawlessness prevailing; that writs 1612 had to be served by registered letter, letter carriers had to be guarded, and threatening notices were posted; and whether, in view of this state of affairs and the failure to secure the punishment of law breakers under the ordinary law, the Government are still determined not to have recourse to the special powers which Parliament has placed in their hands.
§ MR. CHERRYMy attention has been called to the statements of the learned Judge referred to in the Question. As a matter of fact I was present myself in Carrick-on-Shannon on the day upon which they were made. I was glad, however, to ascertain from local inquiry that the disturbed area in the county is comparatively small, and not extending. On the contrary, I learn from the police authorities that there has been a slight improvement in that area during the last few months, while the greater part of the county is in a quiet and peaceful condition. As regards the latter part of the Question, I must refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Chief Secretary to the noble Lord the Member for Murylebone on 13th June last, in which he stated that the Government still have confidence in the ordinary law properly and impartially administered.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)Does the right hon. Gentleman support the statement of the Judge as to the condition of the county?
§ MR. CHERRYCertainly not. The learned Judge referred to certain districts only. The rest of the county is in a peaceable condition.