§ SIR BERKELEY SHEFFIELD (Lincolnshire, Brigg)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, the 5th instant, a crowd of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons assembled at Kilmore, county Roscommon, near the house of Mr. Samuel Russell, a landlord and owner of several large grazing farms, for the purpose of demonstrating against him and bringing pressure to bear on him to force him to sell his grazing lands; that Mr. Russell was assaulted and stoned when returning from church; and that a force of 300 police had to be requisitioned to keep the peace; and what steps the Government are taking to prevent a repetition of any such demonstrations.
§ MR. BIRRELLIn this case proceedings have been instituted against eight persons in connection with the occurrence of the 5th instant, and while those proceedings are pending I must decline to enter into the details of the case. I think it only right, however, to say that according to the police reports which I have received, 200 and not 2,000 persons were present at the meeting referred to; the police force numbered 30, not 300; and Mr. Russell was not assaulted or stoned.