§ COLONEL WARINGasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a shopkeeper and farmer named Edward Tobin, living in the centre of the town of Clonmol, had been boycotted; whether the town band had not annoyed him by halting in front of his premises and playing the "Rogue's March" and other offensive tunes; whether it is intended to indict certain of Tobin's neighbours at the next assizes for picketing his house; whether his securities in a road contract were objected to though of well-known solvency; whether they have since been subjected to obstruction in their lawful business; and, whether Tobin's offence consisted in taking charge of a vacant farm?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)Sir, it appears that Tobin has been "Boycotted" since August 30 last, the cause being that he managed two vacant farms. Two persons were prosecuted under the Conspiracy Act at the last Winter Assizes, for preventing persons from entering his shop. The 1881 Grand Jury ignored the bill against one; the case against the other was adjourned. I am informed that the band ceases to play when passing Tobin's house; and that, though his securities were objected to, they were eventually approved, and the police are not aware that they have since been subjected to material annoyance.