§ MR. O'DOWDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland will he state the grounds on which the Lords Justices issued a proclamation declaring the county of Sligo to be in a disturbed state; whether such proclamation was due to depositions made by certain civilians in the district of Riverstown, in that county; and, if so, can he give the names of these persons.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe county of Sligo was proclaimed by the Lords Justices as being in a state of disturbance upon information furnished by the responsible police authorities to the effect that cattle-driving and other forms of intimidation were prevalent in the county. No depositions were made in the matter.
§ MR. O'DOWDArising out of the reply, may I ask the light hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that in his charge to the Grand Jury at the recent Sligo Assizes, Judge Johnson made no reference whatever to the alleged disturbed state of the county; and whether he is aware that the foreman of the Grand Jury, who is a Unionist and also Lord-Lieutenant of the county, absolutely refused to make any representations to his Lordship on the subject.
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that Question.