§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Ryan, kept a prisoner in Limerick Gaol since June last for contempt of Court; whether her offence consisted in neglect to pay over to the Receiver of the Court of Chancery the proceeds of a quantity of hay valued at £30; and whether she excused herself by a difficulty in realizing, caused by the interference of the Court, with the mode of sale; whether her husband suffered 14 months' imprisonment for contempt arising out of the same transaction; whether Mrs. Ryan, when arrested, was separated from an unweaned infant to the danger of mother and child; and, whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to secure Mrs. Ryan's immediate release?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: My attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Ryan. The facts are as follows:—An ejectment decree was obtained in the County Court against John Ryan, this woman's husband, for one and a-half year's rent—about £45—in July, 1884. The Receiver then made every effort to bring about an amicable settlement with him, but failed to succeed, and was ultimately obliged to put the decree into force, the 12 months' limit being about to expire. In July, 1885, possession was obtained through the Sheriff; Ryan and his family re-took possession of the farm, and, among other things, saved 30 tons of hay. Notwithstanding the exertions of the Receiver to prevent it, this hay was removed and sold by Ryan. Its value was at least £60. The Receiver then, with a view to take up the farm, obtained a conditional order of attachment against Ryan, who, however, was such a reckless and desperate character that it could not be served personally. It was eventually served through the post, and Ryan was arrested in June, 1886, and imprisoned for 12 mouths. Notwithstanding this, Mrs. Ryan and her sons and daughters remained in possession of, and continued to crop, the lands. An attachment was then issued 1834 against Mrs. Ryan and a son aged 18 or 19 years. The latter evaded arrest; Mrs. Ryan was arrested and committed to prison in June, 1886, for 12 months. It has, of course, been all along open to the Ryans to purge their contempt by surrendering the farm or coming to some settlement. This they not only failed to do, but in a letter written by a member of the family to the local Press expressed their intention of continuing in the possession of the farm, and that, aided by the League, they should conquer. The Executive Government had no power to interfere in the matter.
§ MR. PICTONIs it not a fact that Mrs. Ryan was prevented from disposing of this hay as she might have done; and was not it insisted that it should be sold by auction?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANNo, Sir. Mrs. Ryan, in defiance of the Receiver, sold about 30 tons of hay, which must have been worth at least £60.
§ MR. PICTONOne part of my Question has not been answered at all. Is it not a fact that Mrs. Ryan was nursing a baby, which was not yet weaned, when she was arrested, and which was separated from her to the danger of both mother and child?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANI did not see that in the Question. ["Oh, oh!"] I see it now. There was a young child. I do not know whether it was weaned or not.