HC Deb 19 February 1908 vol 184 cc823-4
MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that Mr. Frank Persse, J.P., fired several revolver shots on licensed premises in the town of Loughrea, about 12 o'clock noon, in December last, smashing into pieces the public clock on the premises; whether this is the same Mr. Persse who, at petty sessions lately held in Loughrea, was summoned by a tenant, John Healy, for violently assaulting him in the rent office; was he fined on the occasion; and do the Government propose to take steps to prevent this gentleman from carrying firearms.

MR. CHERRY

The matter referred to in the Question was not reported to the local police. They have, however, been informed that at about 3 p.m. on some date between 30th November and 5th December, Mr. Frank Persse, J.P., was drinking with another man in Mrs. Larkin's public house at Loughrea, and the subject of good shooting came under discussion. By way of demonstrating his good marksmanship, Mr. Persse is alleged to have fired one revolver shot at a clock which hung in the bar. The shot missed the clock, but hit the wall, knocking some mortar off it. It is stated that very few people were in the shop at the time, and Mrs. Larkin, the publican, can only say that she hoard a shot fired. The Government have no power to prevent Mr. Persse from carrying firearms. Mr. Persse is the same person who was recently fined 10s. for assaulting John Healy in the rent office.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this Mr. Frank Persse, who has been convicted of assault, and who fired the shot in the public-house, is still a magistrate, and whether he is a brother of the Mr. Persse who is at present entertaining drawing-room companies in London with tales about alleged violence committed by Irish people?

MR. CHERRY

Mr. Persse is a magistrate. I believe he is some relation of the other gentleman, but I am not aware of the exact relationship.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the exact relationship of Mr. Persse to the gentleman who addressed a great mass meeting in the Duchess of St. Alban's drawing-room?

[No Answer was returned.]