§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the total number of cases of cattle-driving reported to the Inspector-General to 12th December, 1908, the number of distinct cases in which proceedings were instituted, and the number of persons proceeded against, distinguishing under the last-mentioned head between the different results of proceedings before magistrates and before juries, respectively.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that the total number of cattle-drives up to the date mentioned, 2320 was 1,051. Proceedings were taken in 162 distinct cases against 1,582 persons. Of these 1,434 were proceeded against before magistrates, by whom 1,181 were ordered to find bail and 109 were discharged. In the case of 76 persons informations were refused, in the cases of 39 the charge was dropped, and 29 cases are still pending. The remaining 148 persons were proceeded against before juries, when 17 were convicted, and 27 were acquitted. In the cases of 102 defendants the jury disagreed, and in the cases of two others a nolle prosequi was entered.