CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his Return of incendiary fires affecting Protestant property in King's County within the last six months included property belonging to Mrs. Studholme, of Ballyegan House, Birr, burned 8th October, 1906; Mr. Thomas Taylor, Cumberland Street, Birr, out-offices and hay on farm, 3rd November, 1906; Major Bennett, Grange, Clareen, Birr, March, 1907, and Mr. Cox, Templemore, March, 1907, all Protestants.
§ MR. CHERRYMy right hon. friend has not furnished any Return on this subject, but he stated, in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member on 17th April, that four cases of incendiary fire in King's County had been reported within the past six months. The only case out of those mentioned in the Question which was included in that number was the case of burning Major Bennett's stables. The burning of Mrs. Studholme's hay shed is believed to have been accidental, and in any case it did not occur within the period. The burning of Mr. Taylor's out-house was clearly accidental. The residence of Sir Hawtrey Cox at Templemore was burnt on 10th March. This case also appears to have been one of accident. Templemore is in Tipperary, and not, as the Question assumes, in King's County.