MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it has come to his knowledge that the county inspector of Cavan has issued a circular requiring the police to report whether the Roman Catholic clergy followed the policemen who left voting papers during the recent Poor Law elections, or used intimidation for the return of popular candidates?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe only inquiries made on this subject were intended to enable me to answer a Question put to me in this House, and for no other purpose.
MR. O'BRIENwished to know whether a similar Return had been ordered in reference to the complaints of intimidation against landlords and bailiffs that had been so extensively made in connection with recent Poor Law elections?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is not a question of a Return, as I have said. The only inquiries made on this subject, which were made by my order, were intended to enable me to answer Questions put to me in this House, and for no other purpose. Several Questions have been put to me with regard to intimidation 195 at the recent Poor Law elections by hon. Members, who alleged that it was practised by Roman Catholic clergymen, and by other hon. Members who thought it was exercised by landlords and agents, and in all cases I thought it right to make inquiry. That inquiry has in no case been conducted in an offensive manner.