9. Captain, CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a Report in respect of an attack on the night of Tuesday, 21st October, on a house of a man named Cassidy, near Mullingar; whether a number of revolver shots were fired into the house, in which two people were sleeping at the time; whether he is aware that the motive for this outrage is that Cassidy holds a farm claimed by another person; and whether he will state what steps are being taken to prevent a repetition of attacks of this character on Cassidy and his property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt was reported to the police that on the night of 22nd October three revolver shots were fired into the house of William Cassidy, near Mullingar, in which two people were sleeping at the time, but that neither were injured. The motive of the outrage is a matter of opinion. All necessary protection is being given to Cassidy, and his house is closely watched at night by the police.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat is not in the question.
10. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the boycotting of the male national school at Aughamore, county Leitrim; whether he is aware that no pupils are now attending this school as the result of the action of the local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who have boycotted the school and its manager, the Rev. Father Geraghty, P.P., because he refused to appoint a teacher who was the nominee of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the locality; whether he has been informed that the teacher appointed to this school by Father Geraghty has been intimidated by band-playing and hostile demonstrations made by drumming parties and bands of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; whether he is aware that under the influence of the Ancient Order of Hibernians dues have been refused to Father Geraghty, and at a funeral lately the people refused to pay the usual dues and the burial service was not read by the priest; and whether he will state what steps have been taken to protect the person referred to from further intimidation?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that no pupils are now attending this school owing to the manager having refused to accede to the request of a number of parishioners to appoint their nominee as teacher. The father, brother, and other friends of the unsuccessful candidate are understood to be Hibernians, and at their instigation the local band of the order has made hostile demonstrations outside the school, and the pupils have consequently kept away. The police inform me that Father Geraghty is not boycotted, but they have reason to believe that some of the parishioners have refused to pay him their dues, and that at a funeral recently none of those present paid the usual offerings. The police were present at every demonstration made against the teacher, but on no occasion were any threats made, and although he has been annoyed he cannot be said to have been intimidated. The matter, however, is being carefully watched.
11. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he had received a report in respect of an attempt made on 25th October to blow up the house of Mrs. Norah O'Shaughnessy, of Newcastle, County Limerick; whether a bomb was 1415 placed at the front door of Mrs. O'Shaugh-nessy's house and exploded, causing much alarm and some damage; whether he has been informed that, in the month of July, Mrs. O'Shaughnessy was summoned to attend a meeting of the United Irish League to answer a charge of having purchased this house; whether the outrage was the result of Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's refusal to attend the meeting of the United Irish League and submit to its dictation; and whether any arrests have been made or any person been made amenable for the offence?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police inform me that the axle-box of a cart-wheel charged with blasting powder was exploded against the door of the house of Mrs. O'Shaughnessy on 25th October, slightly-damaging the woodwork. Mrs. O'Shaughnessy received a letter of the nature referred to, which she did not answer, but it is not possible to say whether this occurrence is connected with that letter. The police are pursuing their inquiries, but the information they have obtained would not, as yet, justify the institution of criminal proceedings against any person.
§ 19. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that at the last Monaghan Quarter Sessions, Mary Owens, of Cloughfin, was awarded compensation for malicious damage to a quantity of hay; that threatening notices signed by moonlighters had been posted in the district; and if any proceedings have been taken against the persons who committed the damage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMary Owens was awarded £3 compensation for malicious damage to a quantity of hay. Mrs. Owens stated that she found a threatening notice posted near her house which she took down herself, but she did not at the time report the matter to the police. The police have been unable to obtain any evidence to connect any person with the injury to the hay.
§ 20. Sir J. LONSDALEasked if, at the Swinford Quarter Sessions, on 22nd October, Mrs. Margaret Brady, of Clonbeg, county Sligo, was awarded £14 as compensation for the malicious destruction of hay; that Michael Brady stated on oath that his mother was a feeble woman and had received trouble and annoyance from people who wanted to take the farm for division amongst the tenants; that fences 1416 had been knocked down and a friendly neighbour had his turf thrown into a bog hole; and if any proceedings have been instituted by the police against the persons responsible for this damage and annoyance?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that Mrs. Brady was awarded £14 compensation for malicious injury to her hay. and that her family and some neighbours who have been friendly to her have been subject to petty annoyances. Mrs. Brady's son has taken proceedings against a number of neighbours for trespass and obtained damages against them. The police have not been able to obtain sufficient evidence to justify proceedings against anyone for the malicious injury to the hay.
§ 21. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the right hon. Gentleman if his attention has been directed to the claims for compensation, recently lodged in respect to alleged malicious fires at Bolabeg, Templeshando, Gurteen Upper, near Coolgreany, county Wexford, Woodstock, county Wexford, Ballinglanna, county Cork, Loughrea and Dungary, county Galway, and Newton-cashel, Lanesboro', and Fermoyle, county Longford; and whether in any of these cases proceedings have been taken by the police against the persons implicated?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen police reports in connection with the cases referred to, in which claims for compensation have been lodged. No proceedings have been taken in any of these cases. Offences of this kind are usually committed by stealth, under cover of night, and it is very difficult for the police to get sufficient evidence against the guilty parties.
§ 22. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the right hon. Gentleman if his attention has been called to incendiary fires in Westmeath; if he is aware that at the meeting of the Ballymore (county Westmeath) District Council on 17th October one of the members stated that there is never a criminal prosecution in these cases; and if he will explain why no action is taken by the police against the persons who commit this damage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police inform me that two cases of malicious injury to hay by fire have occurred recently in Westmeath, and that claims for compensation have been lodged in both cases. I am not aware that the statement referred to was made. I have already, in answer to a 1417 previous question, explained the difficulty of obtaining evidence with a view to a prosecution in these cases.