§ Lord BALCARRESI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that, in the course of the hearing of a case dealing with unlawful assembly at Athenry on 10th May, Mr. P. J. Kelly, J.P., of Loughrea, stated that they had it from the Chief Secretary that they ought to agitate, and that it was unfair to condemn men for doing what they were told to do by the Chief Secretary; what steps he has taken with regard to this statement; and whether the Athenry defendants have now been brought before 94 the resident magistrate and returned for trial.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt appears from the newspapers that during the hearing of the case referred to Mr. Kelly made a statement to the effect mentioned in the Question. My attention was not called to the statement until the noble Lord gave notice of the Question, and it did not then appear to me that the statement required any serious notice on my part. I found, however, that the matter had already been brought to the notice of the Lord Chancellor, who has decided that his interference is not called for. There were two cases of unlawful assembly for hearing at Athenry on 10th May. These cases were disposed of by the Bench, which included two resident magistrates, at Athenry Petty Sessions on 24th instant. In one case the defendants were returned for trial: the other case was unanimously dismissed.
§ LORD BALCARRESMay I gather from the right hon. Gentleman's Answer that he repudiates the statement made by this gentleman and other similar statements, to which I privately called his attention, to the effect that he is encouraging agitation and terrorism?
§ MR. BIRRELLIf the noble Lord could think I am capable of encouraging agitation and terrorism, he would not attach any importance to any reply I might give here.