§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant 503 of Ireland whether there have been any conflicts since January, 1907, between armed bands and the police; and whether, having regard to the practically unrestricted traffic in firearms in various parts of the country, the authorities have adopted precautionary measures to cope with such conflicts.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that since January, 1907, there have been three cases which appear in some degree to come within the terms ot the Question. On 14th July, 1907, in county Clare, shots were fired from a wood at two policemen and the man they were protecting; and the policeman returned the fire of the unseen assailants. On 15th August, 1907, in county Antrim, a party procession armed with swords and pikes attacked the police and afterwards fired shots at them from departing trains. On 28th August, 1907, in county Galway, several shots were fired into a house, and shortly afterwards a police patrol fired at an armed party who were believed to have been the perpetrators of the outrage. In none of these three cases was anyone injured. The authorities have no knowledge of any armed bands going about in Ireland.