MR. O'CONNOR POWERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the 534 eviction of three families, lately carried out on the property of Mr. C. Crotty, in the parish of Carnacun, county Mayo; whether it is true that the relieving officer of the Union of Castlebar, whose duty it was to be present, was not in attendance at the eviction; and, if so, who is responsible for his non-attendance; whether it is true that outdoor relief has been refused to these families; whether it is a fact that they have been evicted for the non-payment of an admittedly exorbitant rent, and that Mr. Crotty, on other tenants of his serving notices to have fair rents fixed by the Land Commission, agreed to a reduction of more than one-third of the former rental; and, whether it is not true that the district in which this property is situate is free from outrage and disturbance?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he had inquired into this case. The relieving officer was not present at the evictions; relief had been offered either in the workhouse or by outdoor relief. In another case the relieving officer was informed that the tenant had settled with his landlord. The tenants had been evicted for non-payment of rents due for two years and a-half and three years. He was informed that the landlord had given a reduction. This place was not free from outrage and disturbance. Attempts had been made upon Mr. Crotty's life, and he was now under police protection.