HC Deb 28 April 1882 vol 268 cc1672-3
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that, on Monday last, Mr. William Abraham, of Limerick, Chairman of the Limerick Board of Guardians, was arrested by order of Mr. Clifford Lloyd, R.M., and sentenced by that magistrate to six months' imprisonment on a charge of having held or attended a Land League meeting at Tulla; whether the fact is that Mr. Abraham was requested by a friend of his, Mrs. Burke, a Dublin lady, who desired to ascertain the condition of the evicted tenants at Tulla, to accompany her to that place, as she did not know anyone there; whether the "meeting" charged against Mr. Abraham by Mr. Clifford Lloyd was simply a visit paid by Mrs. Burke, accompanied by Mr. Abraham, to two of the parish clergy in the sacristy of the Church; and, whether the Government will order the release of Mr. Abraham, or permit the sentence inflicted to run its course?

MR. W. E. FORSTER,

in reply, said, Mr. Abraham was ordered to enter into security for his good behaviour, and refused to do so. The Government would not interfere with the discretion exercised by magistrates. He had no reason to think that the facts were as stated in the second and third paragraphs of the Question. The object of the meeting was, he believed, to carry out the "no rent" organization.

MR. SEXTON

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that Mr. Lloyd was now holding Star Chamber Courts, sitting in private, and even refusing all applications for adjournment?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I am not aware of it. Perhaps the hon. Member will ask a definite Question in regard to a particular case.

MR. O'SHEA

asked whether it was not the fact that the district of Tulla was now in a better condition than it was when Mr. Clifford Lloyd went there?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that was the case; and he believed it was mainly owing to the action of Mr. Lloyd.

MR. HEALY

gave Notice that he would on Monday ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether several murders had not been committed in Mr. Lloyd's district since he had taken charge of it, while there was no murder in the corresponding period before he went there; also, whether outrages generally had not increased in that district since his appointment?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I hope the hon. Member will put that Question in detail, and I hope the House will not form any judgment in the meantime on this Question.