1. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether anyone has been arrested for the murder of John Kildea, in county Clare, in the month of December last; and whether Kildea's body, riddled with shot, was found outside the door of a neighbour who heard the shots but was afraid to open the door, and so left Kildea to die outside?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)Two arrests have been made, and six persons have been charged with misprision of felony in connection with this brutal murder. The case is sub judice and I can, therefore, make no further statement in the matter.
2. Captain CRAIGasked whether anyone has been arrested in respect of the shooting outrage which occurred in King's County on the night of the 27th December last, when the house of one Denis Kelly was fired into, the pellets from two gunshots passing through the kitchen window; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that a shot was fired through a small window in the house of Mary Kelly, and another shot fired outside the house on the 26th December. The police are pursuing their inquiries, but up to the present no person has been made amenable.
3. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that several shots were fired at two young men when returning to their homes near Loughrea, county Galway, on the night of the 15th September last, from the roadside, and that one of the young men was wounded in the back and side; and whether anyone has been brought to justice for this outrage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that on the night of time 15th September last a gun shot was fired front behind a, wall at John Broderick and Patrick Kelly, the former being seriously wounded and the latter slightly. A police patrol who heard the shot hastened to the scene, but did not succeed in effecting any arrests.
4. Captain CRAIGasked whether any arrests have been made in respect of the shooting outrage which occurred in the county Westmeath on the night of 27th December last, when a man named Patrick Leogue was fired at on the public road near Kilbeggan and very seriously wounded; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police have not yet obtained sufficient evidence to warrant the arrest of any person in connection with this outrage.
5. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether any arrests have been 307 made or anyone made amenable in respect of the firing into the house of Michael Melvin, near Oranmore, county Galway, which occurred on or about the night of 26th August last; whether he is aware that the window of the bedroom in which Melvin and his wife were sleeping was riddled with shot, several pellets of which were found embedded in the wall just over the bed in which they were lying; and that Melvin was acting as herd on land used by the military as a camping ground?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police authorities inform me that the house of Michael Melvin, who acts as herd for a grazing tenant of land used by the military as a camping ground, was fired into on the 23rd August last, as stated in the question. So far the police have been unable to obtain any information which would justify an arrest being made.
7. Captain CRAIGasked whether any arrests have been made in respect of the shooting outrage which took place in the Athenry district of county Galway, on the 27th October last, when a man named Michael Lane was riddled with shot on the public road; and whether the reason for this attack was that he held a farm which was demanded by his neighbours for division amongst themselves?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police inform me that at 2.30 a.m. on the 28th October last Michael Lane was fired at and severely wounded, but he has now recovered from his injuries. The morning was very dark, and it has been found impossbile to trace his assailants. The motive for the attack is a matter of opinion.
8. Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Greathed, in county Galway, has for years past been subjected to outrage and intimidation because she refuses to part with her property in order that it might be divided up amongst her neighbours, that her house has been fired into and her labourers subjected to intimidation, and that it has been found necessary to establish a special police post of five men to protect this lady; and will he state what has been the cost to the public of this police post up to the present date?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that for some years past Mrs. Greathed has been subject to annoyance and that on one occasion 308 her house was fired into. A special police hut has been erected for her protection and that of her family and servants. The cost of this protection is approximately £420 per annum.