§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, on several occasions recently, in the county of Galway and elsewhere, "Land League Fairs" have been prohibited by the authorities; whether, in reply to a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant, from Mr. Dermod Fox, praying against the holding of a fair and the collection of tolls by Lord Clancarty, at Ballinasloe, on the 9th instant, the Under Secretary stated that he could not interfere; if so, on what principle the Government have interfered with fairs in other localities, and at whose instance; whether it is the fact that Mr. Fox alleges that Lord Clancarty had neither patent nor authority to hold a fair on the 9th May, and that such fair would be an infringement upon his own rights; and, why, if the Government refuse to inquire 233 into the truth of the allegations made against Lord Clancarty, they have interfered to prevent the holding of fairs and the collection of tolls by members of the Land League?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, no Land League fairs in Galway or elsewhere, so far as I can ascertain, have been prohibited by the authorities. It is a fact that Mr. Fox made a representation to the Government relative to an alleged infringement of his rights by the Earl of Clancarty, and was informed that the matter was not one for the interference of the Lord Lieutenant. I am aware that in some cases—one in the last Munster Circuit—an action was successfully brought by the owner of a fair market against the infringement of his right by persons holding what is called a Land League fair. I must add that anyone attempting unlawfully, without the proper patent or authority, to levy toll infringes the Prerogative of the Crown.
§ MR. HEALYasked, whether it had not been brought under the right hon. and learned Gentleman's notice that in several towns in Cork the police were given orders to prevent Land League fairs?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, he apprehended that the hon. Member was referring to the case of Dunmanway.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, that in these towns the streets were obstructed by the holding of the fairs, and the police were directed to clear them.