Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a drive of cattle belonging to a man named Hanley took place on Tuesday, 8th March last, near the village of Brockagh, about three or four miles from Gal way; whether he can state if any arrests were made; and what steps have been taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThree persons were arrested and bound to the peace in connection with this matter. It is hoped that this fact, together with the measures taken by the police may prevent further occurrences of the kind.
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on Saturday morning, 26th February last, a cattle drive on a large scale took place in the neighbourhood of Clonaster, Queen's. County, when fifty-nine head owned by Mr. Michael Hackett were found a, considerable distance from home, fifty-eight being in-calf cows; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage; and what steps have been taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have been informed of this cattle-drive. No persons have been arrested in connection with it, but a claim for compensation is pending. The police will make every effort to prevent further cattle-drives.
§ Mr. DELANYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no such place as that mentioned in the question in East Down?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIrrespective of the proper geographical name of this place, the cattle-drive occurred somewhere.
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on 14th February last thirty-seven head of cattle were driven, and that recently another very determined cattle-drive took place off the farm of Mr. Edward Wakefield, The Hall, Moate, Athlone, when a number of men armed with sticks collected the cattle and drove them out on to the road; whether anyone has been brought to 1394 justice for the outrage; and what steps are being taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the police authorities that a cattle-drive took place on 14th February as stated. The cattle were driven home to the owner who appears to have known the offenders, but would not give their names to the police. Frequent patrols were sent to the farm in question both before and since the date mentioned, and no further drive has taken place.
Captain CRAIGalso asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an outrage took place on Sunday, 20th March last, on the farm of Mrs. Clarke, Craigabbey, about four miles from Athenry, when three sheep, the property of a grazier, were found dead, hanging from a tree, with ropes round their necks; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage; and what steps have been taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that the sheep were found dead as seated in the question. The police have not as yet been able to make any arrests, but they are taking every possible precaution to prevent any further outrage.
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he is aware that four cattle-drives have taken place off several large grazing farms in the Ballyvaughan district, near Gort, between Sunday, the 13th, and Saturday night, 26th March last; whether the cattle were seen roaming about the roads miles from where the drives took place; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrages; and what steps have been taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind; (2) whether he is aware that on 25th March last a cattle-drive took place about two miles from Athenry, off the farm of Mr. Michael Murphy, of Ballinrobe, who holds a farm used for grazing at Gloves; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage; and what steps have been taken to prevent further occurrences of a similar kind?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCattle have been driven off the grazing farms referred to as stated. The police have not been able to make any arrests, but they are doing all they can to prevent any recurrence of cattle-driving in the districts mentioned in the question.
Captain CRAIGIs it not a fact that the Land Bill of last year killed land purchase in Ireland, and did not stop cattle-driving?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt did not kill land purchase, and it has not, I am sorry to say, stopped cattle-driving.
Captain CRAIGDid the right hon. Gentleman not suggest that the Land Bill, if passed, would have an effect upon stopping cattle-driving?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes. I did; and it has had a very considerable effect.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, with a view to stopping cattle-driving, of appointing Sir Robert Anderson to some new post in Ireland?