§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it has been brought to his knowledge that on the occasion of an extensive cattle-drive at Doolin, North Clare, on 22nd September, a number of bullocks were brutally beaten to their knees, and when on the ground in this position were further maltreated by being struck on their heads; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the occurrence.
§ MR. BIRRELLAn extensive cattle-drive took place on the occasion referred to. Claims in respect of it were made at Ennis Quarter Sessions, and evidence having been given that some of the cattle had been badly beaten, compensation to the amount of £166 4s. was awarded. Forty-four persons were made amenable for cattle-driving, of whom two gave bail and the remainder underwent a fortnight's imprisonment in default of bail.
§ EARL WINTERTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any proceedings were taken against those people for cruelty to animals?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo. That fact was taken into consideration in assessing the amount of compensation.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrew's Burghs)How can you compensate the animals?
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the reports of the trial of a large number of cases of persons accused of cattle-driving, and whether it is a fact that the police witnesses, without exception, testified that no cruelty was exhibited towards the animals and that they were not injured but merely driven in the ordinary way?
§ MR. BIRRELLIn some cases undoubtedly the cattle-driving has not been 1236 associated with anything which can be called cruelty to animals. In other cases, unfortunately, the facts are otherwise.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware that every single person in the whole of Ireland deprecates anything of the kind?
§ [No Answer was returned.]