Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the cattle and sheep of Mr. John Wyse were driven from the lands of Miss Somerville, at Glanarail, on 23rd May; whether any of the cattle were mutilated on that occasion; if so, in what way; and whether any persons have been arrested in connection with the offence?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSome cattle belonging to Mr. John Coyne and other graziers were driven off the farm in question on the night of 23rd May. Six cows were injured by having part of their tails cut off, and the hair was cut off the tails of four others. No arrests have been made.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on the night of 1st June the cattle of Mr. Jeeves and Mr. Bryan Farrell, at Streamstown, Moate, were driven for a second time; whether the cattle are under police protection and the farm constantly patrolled; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the offence?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the constabulary authorities that the cattle belonging to these two persons were driven on 11th May and on 1st June. On the first occasion two women and a boy were arrested and brought before a magistrate who discharged them, as Mr. Jeeves and his herd, who were necessary witnesses, declined to attend. No arrests were made in connection with the second drive. The police did not see it, and the owners would not give them any help towards a prosecution. The farm is kept under observation by the police, and is visited by occasional patrols.
§ Mr. C. CRAIGHave the police not power to compel the attendance of witnesses in a case like this?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, that is not so.
§ Captain CRAIGHave the police instructions not to compel these people to attend?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo instructions of the kind.
§ Mr. C. CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman give them instructions in a case like this to compel witnesses to attend?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that this man is afraid of the two women and one boy?
§ Mr. C. CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on 3rd June a number of. cattle, sheep, and lambs, the property of Mr. Michael Costello, were driven off a farm held by him at Bushey Park; whether Mr. Costello has had to give up a farm at Ballybrit owing to boycotting and cattle-driving; and what steps are being taken to afford Mr. Costello's property protection from further outrage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe statements in the question with regard to Mr. Costello are correct. All necessary protection has been and will be afforded to him.