§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received information of a case of shooting at a herdman at Ballyogan, County Clare, on Saturday; and whether anyone has been arrested.
§ MR. BIRRELLOn the occasion in question, the herdman, accompanied by a constable who was protecting him, was driving some cattle to water when four shots were fired from a thick hazel cover. The herdman was struck with one grain of shot under the right eye. Subsequent examination showed that an ambush with retreats had been carefully prepared in the cover. The person or persons who fired the shots were thus enabled to escape, and no arrests have been made.
CAPTAIN CRAIGHas the right hon. Gentleman taken any precautions to see that firearms do not fall into the hands of irresponsible persons?
§ MR. BIRRELLI do not think that I have now any power.
CAPTAIN CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman legislate for power to prevent firearms falling into the hands of irresponsible persons?
§ MR. BIRRELLThe hon. Gentleman knows that it is exceedingly difficult in Ireland, or in any other country, to keep firearms out of the hands of people who want to obtain them.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGIs it not the fact that there was no difficulty whatever before the right hon. Gentleman repealed the Act?
§ MR. FLAVINCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House the number of revolvers in the possession of Orangemen in the North of Ireland, and how many shots are fired?
§ * MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that.
§ MR. FLAVINI speak from personal experience.