Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to a shooting outrage that took place near Ennis, county Clare, on 20th June, at a place called Kilmorrane, when at one o'clock a police patrol found a man named Daly bleeding on the roadside; whether he can state how many gun shots had been fired; what was the nature of the wounds 481 inflicted; whether any and, if so, how many pellets were extracted from the wounds; whether the man has recovered; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage; and what steps have been taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Constabulary authorities that Patrick Daly was fired at and wounded at about 11 p.m. on the 19th inst., while, on his way home from Ennis. Three shots appear to have been fired. Daly is seriously wounded in both legs and in one arm, but is progressing favourably. Twelve pellets have been extracted. The police have not succeeded in making any arrests, but they are doing all that, is possible to prevent further outrages.
§ Mr. GERALD ARBUTHNOTMay I ask whether it is a fact that the same man was shot at about a month ago, and if both these outrages were not subsequent to a resolution passed by the United Irish League calling upon his mother to surrender up her farm?
§ Mr. BIRRELLHow far the resolution may have led to this I have no knowledge, but the man has been, I believe, the victim of an outrage on another occasion.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the resolution was passed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThese matters have again and again been before the police— I am not saying in this particular case— and the constabulary have over and over again reported that it is quite impossible for them to say whether there is any connection between these resolutions and the outrages. I can assure the Noble Lord very often in Ireland these resolutions are treated with perfect contempt.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry whether the resolution was passed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLOh, yes; I will undoubtedly do so. I should not be at all surprised to find it was.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to prevent these intimidatory notices?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member knows perfectly well the Government has taken several steps, and other Governments before them have taken several steps.
§ Mr. LONSDALEHave they resulted in the suppression of these notices?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir.