§ Mr. SANDYSasked the Chief Secretary whether in view of the fact that it was officially stated on 18th March that there are only two areas in Ireland in which agrarian crime can be said to be prevalent, namely, part of Clare and part of the East Riding of Galway, and that His Majesty's judges, in their charges at the spring assizes, bear testimony to the peaceable and crimeless condition of the country generally, his attention has been called to the address of Mr. Justice Kenny to the grand jury at the county Roscommon spring assizes on 11th March, in which the judge stated that, so far as more serious crime was concerned, the number of cases was just double what it was at the corresponding period of last year, and that the circumstances suggested organised terrorism; whether he will say to what causes this increase of crime is to be attributed; and what steps he is taking to deal with this state of affairs?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of the address of Mr. Justice Kenny. There does not seem to be any cause for alarm as regards the state of the county of Roscommon. There has been a considerable improvement for some time past, but it happens that the figures for the period between the winter and spring assizes of last year were exceptionally light.
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will emphasise the fact that West Clare is entirely free from crime, and that some of these judges are certainly more famous as politicians than—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not entitled to take advantage of Question time to reflect upon the judges.
§ Mr. SANDYSasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the address of Mr. Justice Kenny to the grand jury at the Galway spring assizes on 18th March, in which the judge stated that the two Ridings of the county were in a condition of extreme lawlessness without any sign of improvement, that the Executive appeared to be completely paralysed in these districts, that organised terrorism prevailed, and that there was small security for life or property; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this state of affairs?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen a newspaper report of Mr. Justice Kenny's address to the jury. As I have already pointed out, there is great difficulty in obtaining evidence which will lead to the punishment of offenders. I quite agree with the learned judge that in these circumstances it is difficult to see how peace or good order can be effectively restored in the county.