HC Deb 20 July 1908 vol 192 cc1503-5
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that Mr. Justice Kenny, on opening the Assizes for the County of Roscommon, on Saturday, 11th July said the county was in a state of extreme lawlessness; that there had been four cases of incendiary fires and four of threatening letter writing, and only one person had been made amenable; that cattle driving was prevalent, and those charged with the maintenance of the peace were unable to make persons amenable; that those responsible for these outrages could be brought before two resident magistrates, and if their guilt was proved they could be sentenced to not less than six months imprisonment; and whether it is intended to take the course indicated by the learned Judge; and, if not, will he explain why this course is not to be adopted.

MR. BIRRELL

I have no information as to Mr. Justice Kenny's remarks beyond that which may be gathered from newspaper reports. I have repeatedly stated that the fullest possible measures are being taken for the preservation of the peace and the punishment of offenders under the ordinary law, and that it is not the intention of the Government to put the Criminal Law and Procedure Act into force. In the cases of four incendiary fires and four threatening letters to which reference was made, it was only possible to proceed against one person because evidence was only forthcoming in one case, and I do not see how any Act of Parliament can secure a man's punishment unless and until some evidence of his possible guilt is forthcoming. The learned Judge in question was informed by the proper authority that since the middle of May the condition of County Leitrim had very much improved with the exception of the area lying round Elphin.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Is it not the case that the official criminal statistics for Ireland for the last twelve months which have just been published show a decrease in all classes of serious offences in the country?

MR. LONSDALE

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard outrage and boycotting as evidence of a cheerful spirit on the part of the people of Ireland?

MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

Is it not the fact that a very large proportion of the cattle-driving outrages are not included in the returns?

SIR E. CARSON (Dublin University)

What is the right hon. Gentleman's definition of serious crime?

MR. BIRRELL

I cannot enter into all the Questions that are put to me on this occasion. No doubt the hon. and learned Member for Waterford is correct in saying that recent statistics show a happy decrease in what is called serious crime in Ireland, and I should imagine that would be a subject for congratulation even to an Irishman.

MR. ASHLEY

Are cattle - drives included among the serious outrages?

MR. BIRRELL

Yes, if accompanied by riot and violence.