CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many cases of outrages by the use of firearms, cattle-driving, boycotting, and other forms of intimidation, respectively, have been reported to the police during the month of May last, how many arrests were made, and what sentences were passed.
§ MR. BIRRELLDuring the month of May last seventeen offences were reported in which firearms were used. Five persons were arrested, of whom three have been returned for trial, one has been discharged, and the case against the fifth is pending. There were 139 cattle-drives during the month, 483 persons were arrested, of whom 447 were 100 bound to keep the peace, twenty-one were discharged, and fifteen were committed to prison in default of finding bail. On 31st May there were twenty-five cases of serious boycotting and 140 cases of minor boycotting. During the month there were thirty-nine cases of intimidation, mainly by threatening letters and notices. One arrest has been made, and the case is pending.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman now prepared to modify his opinion that the state of Ireland is better than it has been for the last 600 years?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have heard that remark of mine referred to a great many times. I am quite prepared to modify it if you wish.