HC Deb 07 March 1912 vol 35 c518
Mr. SANDYS

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a sermon delivered on 17th December, 1911, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Killaloe in Ennis Cathedral, referring to various outrages which had taken place in the district, and especially to the murder of a farmer's wife in East Clare, and the shooting of a postman in the neighbourhood of Crusheen, crimes he attributed to the system of intimidation and outrage that had been rampant for a long time in certain districts of the county and to the immunity from punishment enjoyed by the moonlighter in deeds of crime; whether there is any improvement in the condition of this part of Ireland since these statements were made; and, if not, what special steps are being taken to prevent such occurrences?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have seen a newspaper report of the sermon referred to. The police authorities inform me that while the state of the county is still very bad a certain improvement has taken place in some districts. There is a large extra force of police in the county, and special measures have been, and are being, taken, for the protection of life and property and the prevention of outrages.

Mr. MOORE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if either of the representatives in Parliament of this county have expressed any condemnation of these outrages?

Mr. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to take any notice of that insult. It is a gross insult.