HC Deb 26 October 1911 vol 30 cc272-3
Captain CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he was aware that for the past two years a criminal conspiracy had existed on the Island of Aran, directed against one Roger Derrane and anyone who associated or in any way supported him, and that this conspiracy arose immediately after the establishment on the island of a branch of the United Irish League, of which the Reverend Father Farragher was president; whether, as a result of the working of this conspiracy, one Colman McDonagh had been boycotted, with his aged mother and a young family of children; whether this Colman McDonagh, having been employed in 1909 and 1910 by the Congested Districts Board in charge of an ice hulk in Aran was this year refused employment and the secretary of the branch of the United Irish League appointed in his stead; whether he was aware that on the 16th July McDonagh attended a meeting of the branch of the United Irish League in Aran to endeavour to get the boycott removed, but was turned out by the president, the Reverend Father Farragher, that McDonagh was attacked by a mob in Achill and badly beaten, and that certain of his assailants were prosecuted by the police; whether he was also aware that on the night of the 24th July McDonagh attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in his own house, but was rescued by a police patrol; whether he had now been committed to the criminal lunatic asylum at Ballinasloe; and what steps the Irish Government proposed to take to bring to justice those persons in Aran who had driven this man to the asylum and left his aged mother and young children to the mercy of the conspiracy?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will postpone this question; I have not the information.

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked a question on this very subject, in almost the same terms, six months ago?

Mr. BIRRELL

What reply was given to it then?

Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

The right hon. Gentleman said that a civil action was pending, and that therefore he was prevented from making any statement on the subject.

Mr. BIRRELL

I will have the information and give the hon. and gallant Gentleman an answer.