§ Mr. LYLE-SAMUELasked the Chief Secretary whether 20 houses were de- 627W stroyed by the police at Ballylongford, County Kerry, on the 23rd February; whether this was an official or unofficial reprisal; and, if the latter, whether any arrests have been made?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am informed by the Commander-in-Chief that it has not been possible to discover by whom these fires were started. A party of police which was fired at on entering the village assisted in extinguishing the flames.
§ Mr. WINTRINGHAMasked the Chief Secretary whether any inquiry has been held into the burning of the farm and farmhouse belonging to a man named Desmond, at Annabeg, on the 23rd October last, by soldiers during their investigation following an attack on the Essex Regiment; and, if so, what was the result of the inquiry?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODA labourer's cottage at Rigsdale occupied by Michael Desmond was burnt on 22nd October last year, but no evidence has been forthcoming to enable the police to discover the perpetrators. So far as I am aware, the suggestion that soldiers were involved is based upon the unsupported allegation of Desmond, who, according to the police report, was absent at the time of the occurrence and had left the house unoccupied. I have consulted the Commander-in-Chief, who informs me that the military authorities have no knowledge of the matter. Desmond was awarded £150 compensation at Cork Quarter Sessions in April