§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that cattle-drives took place on Sunday, 3rd May last, from the farm of Mr. Robert Blake, Ballyglunin Park, Tuam, from the grass farms of Moyne, belonging to Mr. R. W. Waithman, and of Mullaghmore, owned by Mr. O'Rorke, as well as from other farms in the neigh- 1144 bourhood; whether numerous droves of horses, cattle, and sheep were found on the road from Tuam to Moylough, making it almost impassable for vehicular traffic, on Monday morning, 4th May, from the farm of Mr. O. C. Donelan, Sylane, near Tuam, on the same date from the lands of Southill, Mitchelstown, and Robinstown, Delvin district of County Westmeath, when 200 head were driven, and on Tuesday, 5th May, from Gralla Farm, near Loughrea; how many arrests were made in each case, and can the police attribute any motives for the outrages; whether he can make a statement as to what steps, if any, the Government intend to take to meet the very grave state of affairs which at present exists; and whether he will lay the whole facts before the Cabinet, with a view to bringing into force the Crimes Act.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL, Bristol, N.)The cattle-drives referred to in the Question took place on the several days from 1st to 5th May. In all, 104 persons were arrested, of whom 88 have been bound over to keep the peace, and the proceedings against the remaining 16 are pending. The question of taking proceedings against other persons in connection with these cases is under consideration. In reply to a Question put by the hon. and gallant Member on 7th instant, I stated the steps which are being taken to protect the persons and property of those who are affected by the agitation against the grazing system. The reply to the concluding inquiry of the Question is in the negative.