§ Mr. LONSDALEasked whether at Multyfarnham, on 18th February, five men, arraigned on a charge of driving cattle, belonging to Mr. P. Connell, off the lands of Ballyvade, were committed to prison in default of finding bail; that while the court was sitting the lands of Ballyvade were again cleared of stock and the cattle driven to the railway station from which the prisoners went to gaol; that Mr. Connell's servant was intimidated by a violent crowd, and a man named Kilduff, who gave the woman shelter, was knocked down and beaten, but is deterred from prosecuting his assailants through fear of the consequences; and that on Sunday, 20th February, when Mr. Connell came out of chapel, he was threatened by members of the congregation; and whether it is intended to take further proceedings against persons concerned in the acts of intimidation?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the constabulary authorities that the facts as to the driving of the cattle are correctly stated in the question save as to the date of the proceedings, which was 11th February. No proceedings are being taken in connection with the cattle-drive on that date, as none of the culprits can be identified. As regards the remainder of the question, the hon. Member would appear to have been misinformed. There is no foundation, so far as the police are aware, for the statement that Mr. Connell was threatened when coming out of chapel, that his servant was intimidated by a crowd, or that a man who protected her was knocked down and beaten.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked what was the number of distinct cases of cattle-driving tried before juries in each of the years 1907, 1908, and 1909; and what were the results of the trials in such cases?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the constabulary authorities that in 1907 ten such cases were tried before juries, resulting in one conviction, three acquittals, and six disagreements. In 1908 one case was tried before a jury and resulted in a conviction. No case of the kind was tried before a jury in 1909.