§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say if any complaints have reached the police as to the injury to trees on a plantation at Finvoy, near Ballymoney, County Antrim; whether he can state the names and addresses of the landlord and of the lessee; and whether notice has been given of any claim for compensation.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt was reported to the police on 24th April that about 300 trees in a plantation at Finvoy had been damaged by having holes bored in them. Five of the trees were shattered by explosion. The landlord is Mr. Edward Cole Magennis, of Boyle, county Roscommon, and the occupying tenant is Bryce Beattie. The trees had been sold by the landlord to an English firm, who had resold a portion of them to a local buyer. The purchasers have lodged claims for compensation amounting to £90.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman say if this Mr. Edward 1154 Cole Magennis is the man who some months ago alleged that his house had been attacked by a band of moonlighters, and that when inquiry was made, at the instance of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Dublin, it was reported that no outrage had taken place and that the shots had been fired from inside the house?
§ MR. BIRRELLThere is a similarity of names, I confess.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGHis the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities in County Antrim will have to resist this man's claim, and will he therefore consider the desirability of giving them a complete biographical sketch of Mr. Edward Cole Magennis?
§ MR. BIRRELLI expect they know all about him.
§ MR. BIRRELLI can assure the hon. Member I deeply regret the occurrence.