§ MR. D. SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that the Sub-Sheriff of Westmeath drove from Mullingar to Tang on Wednesday the 17th instant, a distance of 18 miles, to attend an eviction, without police protection, owing to the peaceable state of the county; whether, during the process of evicting Patrick Dillon, one of the tenants on Mr. Frederick Russell's estate, the police behaved in a violent manner, batoning men and women indiscriminately; and, whether the Government will cause an inquiry to be made into the conduct of the police on the occasion?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON) (Liverpool, Walton)(who replied) said, it was the case that the Sub-Sheriff drove, for the purpose of executing 24 judgment decrees, the distance stated without police protection. That appeared to have been due to his personal popularity. On endeavouring to gain access to Dillon's house the police did not behave in a violent manner, nor did they baton any women. On the contrary, they acted with the greatest forbearance towards the people, as was testified by the Roman Catholic clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Byrne, at the close of the day. Dillon was not evicted owing to illness. No inquiry was necessary.
§ MR. D. SULLIVANasked from whom the information came?
§ MR. GIBSONFrom the usual sources.
§ MR. D. SULLIVANThe police, I suppose.