§ Mr. HACKETTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on 17th March, St. Patrick's Day, the Rev. Mr. M'Kinley, Protestant rector, Kilcooley, Thurles, county Tipperary, accompanied by his servants and others and armed with a double-barrelled gun, attempted to stop a number of people as they were proceeding over a road which has-been used by the public for over a century and that the reverend gentleman threatened to fire upon the people if they persisted in their rights; by whose orders and for what purpose a district inspector and a number of policemen were present at the place and what steps they took to-prevent a breach of the peace or to prevent the reverend gentleman from carrying out his threat to fire upon the people;: and what steps, if any, have been taken to prevent a recurrence of this conduct, which has caused excitment and indignation in this hitherto peaceable district?
§ Mr. DUKEI have directed inquiry into the matters mentioned in the question. I am informed that various threats of violence have been made, which necessitated the presence of the police. As the dispute relates to matters of legal right it is to be expected that a legal decision will be obtained. In the meantime the police are instructed to be on their guard to prevent any breach of the peace.