§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at midnight on Saturday, 8th June, a party of men entered upon a Gurrancoyle farm in the neighbourhood of Athenry, and in spite of the efforts of the police drove off some of the cattle; whether two shots were fired by members of the crowd; and whether he will state what measures the holder of the farm in this case could have taken to protect his own property.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell) A prosecution has been directed in this case, and in the circumstances I am not prepared to enter into the details of 293 the offence. It is not for me to enumerate the acts which may be permissible under the law in defence of private property.