§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he is aware that the house of a farmer named Joseph Golding, residing near Bawnmore, in the Clare-Galway district, has been fired into recently; how many shots were fired and what damage was done; does Golding hold some of the land formerly held by Lieutenant Kirwan, who was driven from the district by persistent boycotting and annoyance; and if the police have yet discovered the persons who fired into Golding's house?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the police that the house of Joseph Golding was fired into on the 22nd September. The precise number of shots fired is not known. The glass was broken in the window of an unoccupied bedroom and in an adjoining room. Golding is land steward to Lieutenant Kirwan, and he also held some land from him. No arrests have been made up to the present.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, on the 3rd October, Mrs. Moran, of Anbally, the wife of a workman employed by Mr. John Burke, of Currandrum, county Galway, was fired at and wounded by a person in hiding behind a stack; if he is aware that Mr. John Burke has been boycotted and under police protection; if the protection had been relaxed before this outrage, and what was the reason for such relaxa- 281 tion; and what steps, if any have been taken, to bring the assailant of Mrs. Moran to justice?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Inspector-General that Mrs. Moran was fired at as stated in the question. Mr. John Burke has been boycotted since last spring and is under police protection. This protection has not been relaxed. The police have been, and are, using every effort to bring the assailant of Mrs. Moran to justice.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether he has received any offer from the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Waterford (Mr. John Redmond) to assist him in stamping out boycotting?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir; I am not in the habit of asking for such assistance.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Waterford has pledged himself, pending the passage of the Home Rule Bill—and has announced publicly in Ireland—that he will denounce boycotting in Ireland in authenticated cases, and will the right hon. Gentleman furnish the hon. and learned Gentleman with particulars of cases that have come under his notice, and of any other cases of which he may have official knowledge?
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDMay I say at once, Mr. Speaker, I entirely repudiate what the hon. Gentleman has read out.