CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a farmer called Burke was shot at on Saturday, 21st March near Ennis, County Clare, and that Burke has lately taken a farm; will he say if any one has been arrested in connection with this offence; if it is intended to afford adequate protection to Burke; and, seeing that this man has become a centre of disturbance, whether it is the intention of the Estates Commissioners to acquire compulsorily Burke's farm.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt is reported to the police that Michael Burke was fired at on 21st March. A man has been arrested for the offence and the case 505 is pending. The police will afford all necessary protection to Burke. He has not lately taken any farm, but last year he purchased a farm under the Land Act. I do not quite know what implication is intended to be made in the last part of the Question, but in any event, the Estates Commissioners do not compulsorily acquire farms which are subject to a land purchase annuity.