§ MR. KENNY (for Mr. O'BRIEN)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, on Tuesday the 27th February, Mr. Thomas Hunt, collector of grand jury cess for the Barony of Middlethird, county Waterford, accompanied by six policemen and two bailiffs, went to the farm of Mr. D. Hally, P.L.G. Island Tarsney, and demanded the amount of county cess for which Mr. Hally was liable, and, without giving him time to produce the money, seized and drove away a horse his property; whether the power conferred by statute upon a collector to levy grand jury cess arises only on refusal to pay; and, whether Mr. Hally had refused to pay?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I have received a telegram which shows that the facts as to the cess collector going to Mr. Hally's farm and demanding the cess are as stated. Mr. Hally said that he had not all the money, but would get it if the collector would wait, which he consented to do. He did wait for some time, and the money was not forthcoming; but Mrs. Hally came out and violently abused the bailiff and police; after which, seeing no prospect of payment, he seized the horse and drove it away. The power to levy only arises on refusal to pay. Whether what occurred in this case amounted to a refusal could only be determined in an action. If any wrong has been done Mr. Hally, he has his civil remedy. The Government has neither responsibility nor power in the matter.