§ Mr. SANDYSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether on 16th January, 1912, a boy named Bernard O'Hara, seventeen years of age, in the employment of John M'Mahon, at Kinvara, was shot at whilst building a wall on his master's field, whether M'Mahon had received threatening notices, what steps are being taken to deal with this system of intimidation; (2) whether on the 10th February, 1912, a man named Bernard Fallon, who had been repairing fences on the Woodberry estate, at Cappatagle, near Ballinasloe, was shot at and wounded; whether there is a dispute between the Estates Commissioners and the people of 2041 the locality with regard to this estate; whether any arrests have now been made in connection with this attack; and (3) whether on 20th February, 1912, an attempt was made to blow up the cottage of a man named Flanaghan, at Lisheen, near Kilfenora, by placing explosive materials in the turf used for the fire; whether a similar outrage was committed at the same cottage on 25th February; and what steps are being taken to deal with this class of offence?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question with regard to these cases on the 12th instant. Threatening notices were found posted, directed against Bernard O'Hara. No further arrests have been made. The motive in such cases is a matter of opinion. The police are doing all that is possible to prevent such occurrences.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked the Chief Secretary whether on 10th February, 1912, a man named R. Wilson was shot on the road between Armagh and Allistragh; whether the man was seriously wounded; what is his present condition; and what steps are being taken to prevent such outrages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that Robert Wilson was shot during a party affray on the occasion referred to. He has since died from the effects of the wound. The police are doing all in their power by special patrols to prevent similar occurrences in the locality.
§ Mr. SANDYSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the inquest that was held on this unfortunate man the jury added a rider calling attention to the growing habit of carrying revolvers and saying that it ought to be suppressed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI quite agree with the jury.
§ Mr. SANDYSWhat steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to follow the recommendations of the jury?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have taken all the steps I can. I have tried to induce more than one Home Secretary to introduce a measure dealing with the whole question of the carrying of firearms in all parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs not Armagh in the province of Ulster?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWell, my geography is rather weak.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDid not the right hon. Gentleman repeel the Statute which prevents the carrying of firearms?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat is a question repeatedly asked. The Statute in question, much to my regret, was allowed to drop.
Captain CRAIGasked how many cases of all classes of shooting and bomb outrages, including firing at the person, into houses, etc., have been reported to the police in Ireland since the Government dropped the Peace Preservation Act; and, in connection therewith, how many people were killed and wounded, how many arrests made, how many persons convicted and sentenced, and how many arms seized?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the hon. Member wishes to move for a Return giving the information asked for I will consider whether it can be granted.
§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the address of Mr. Justice Kenny, at the Galway Assizes, on Monday, and to the facts that bills were sent to the grand jury in twenty-four cases, the largest number on the Crown book in recent years; that there were 178 cases in which police protection, had to be afforded to 713 persons; and that in forty-three cases of boy. cotting 171 individuals were affected; can he state why, in the majority of cases, no one is made amenable; and whether he proposes to take any steps to relieve the people of Galway from the terrorism which prevails?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of the address of Mr. Justice Kenny. As I have already explained, the difficulty is to obtain evidence. I would point out that while parts of Galway and Clare are, no doubt, in a bad state, the charges of His Majesty's Judges of Assizes bear testimony to the fact that Ireland, as a whole, is in a most peaceful state.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the constituency of West Clare is more free from crime than perhaps any other constituency in Great Britain or Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI was careful to say parts of Clare.
Captain CRAIGIf the state of Ireland is so peaceful as the right hon. Gentleman suggests, may I ask him why it is intended by the Government to plunge the country into turmoil by introducing Home Rule?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think the more peaceful a country is the better it is qualified to express an opinion as to how it should be governed.
Captain CRAIGIn the circumstances will the right hon. Gentleman pay special attention to the opinion of the most peaceful part of Ireland, and give it consideration