§ 8. Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Attorney-General has been compelled to apply for a change of venue in two county Clare criminal charges on the ground that a fair trial was impossible in Clare owing to the state of terrorism which was prevalent; and, if so, whether he can say if the application was granted, and to what part of Ireland will the hearing of these charges of murder and intimidation be transferred?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)An application has been made and granted for a change of venue in these cases to the county of Dublin.
§ Sir W. BYLESCould the right hon. Gentleman get a true bill returned on a charge of treason in county Antrim?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know until I try.
§ 9. Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received information of an attack on a patrol of policemen by a party of moonlighters at Cleggan, county Galway, last week; whether he is aware that the police were subjected to a fusillade of shots from behind a stone wall and retaliated with rifle fire; whether, as a result of the disturbed state of this district, constables are only allowed to patrol in pickets and not singly; and whether, in connection with the shooting affray, any arrests have been made?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that about ten o'clock on the night of 30th April two shots were fired at a patrol of three constables from Lough George from behind a wall at a distance of 100 yards. The police returned the fire with four shots and went in pursuit of their assailants, who escaped into a wood. Inquiries were immediately instituted, but so far the police have been unable to obtain sufficient evidence 420 to justify any arrests. None of the police or their assailants were injured. The patrols in this locality have for some time past consisted of three men.