8. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any report in respect of the firing at and wounding of Mr. Maunsell, near Ennis, county Clare, on the morning of Tuesday, 15th April; whether Mr. Maunsell narrowly escaped having the top of his skull blown off by a charge of shot which grazed his head; whether he has been under police protection as the result of other outrages in connection with a farm, and, if so, what was the nature of these outrages; and whether any arrests have been made or anyone made amenable?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that on the morning of the 15th instant Mr. Maunsell while driving into Ennis Fair was fired at and wounded. The shot struck his hat, and some grains passed through it, grazing the top of his head and inflicting some scalp wounds. Mr. Maunsell is under police protection owing to some trouble with regard to the dismissal of a herd employed by him on a farm near Ennis, and in connection with which an attempt was recently made to set on fire the house in which the new herd was residing. The police are pursuing their inquiries, but so far they have not obtained sufficient evidence to justify any arrests.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo, Sir. I am glad to say that it is most unusual.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEHave any arrests been made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have just told the hon. Gentleman that the police are pursuing their inquiries, but so far they have not obtained information to justify them in making any arrests.