HC Deb 07 December 1911 vol 32 cc1566-7
Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that on 2nd January last William Gallagher, a Protestant, of Tawney, Kilmacrennan, county Donegal, was followed by a mob of Hibernians from the village of Kilmacrennan and brutally beaten, being left unconscious upon the road, and that he has since been threatened with worse violence; and if he will state why, in these circumstances, the two men who were convicted of assault upon Gallagher have been released from prison before they had served half their sentences?

Mr. BIRRELL

The police authorities inform me that this man was assaulted as stated in the question, but that he has not since been threatened as alleged. It would be contrary to practice to state the grounds which influenced the Lord Lieutenant in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.