§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that John Crawford, Belfast, found guilty of having a revolver, was sentenced by court-martial to ten years' penal servitude, notwithstanding that no revolver was found in his possession: that Arthur Magennis, of Belfast, who was charged with riotous behaviour and had a revolver in his possession when arrested, was fined 40s. and costs, and discharged on giving security for good behaviour; and whether he will take steps to reduce the sentence in the former case?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe cases of John Crawford and Arthur McGuinness are essentially different. Crawford was identified as one of a number of men who fired at two policemen with intent to murder them, and he was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. One of the constables was wounded. Crawford narrowly escaped a charge of murder, and the sentence imposed on him is none too severe in the circumstances. The revolver found on McGuinness was of an obsolete pattern and unserviceable by reason of the trigger and spring being broken.