CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of cattle-drives that have taken place off Tannagh Farm, near Rivers-town, County Sligo; the number of arrests made; and if any sentences have been passed on the perpetrators of the outrages; and, if not, why not.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe police are aware of but one cattle-drive from the farm in question. This took place on the night of 4th May. The police have been unable to trace the offenders and consequently no arrests have been made.
CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many cattle-drives have taken place between 25th April and 10th May in the East Riding of County Galway, the number of persons arrested, the number of convictions, and the cost of conveying the persons arrested, together with the police, to the various court-houses.
§ MR. BIRRELLDuring the period mentioned there were thirty-five cattle-drives in the East Riding of Galway, and 266 persons were arrested, of whom 241 were bound to keep the peace. The cost of conveying the persons arrested together with the police to the various court-houses was £123.
In reply to a further Question Mr. BIRRELL said the cost of conveyance before committal was borne by the county rates.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGasked if the fact that 240 out of 260 persons had been bound over to keep the peace had resulted in reducing the number of cattle-drives?
§ MR. BIRRELLTime alone will show that.