§ MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a meeting of the Kilbride Branch of the Irish National League was held on Sunday, February 21st 1886, at the house of James Creighton, Ballinderry, county Roscommon; whether John O'Connor, herd to Mr. Keegan, was directed to appear before this meeting, and explain why he allowed some cattle, the property of Patrick Hunt, of Ballinderry, to graze on Mr. Keegan's farm; whether Mr. Keegan has been, and is now, boycotted; whether two head of cattle belonging to Patrick Hunt have since been removed from Mr. Keegan's farm; 1365 and, whether the Government intend to take steps to secure freedom of action in county Roscommon?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)As the Question infers, the meeting alluded to was a private one, and the police were not present. I am informed that John O'Connor was directed to appear at the meeting. He declines to give any evidence of what happened. It is the case that Patrick Hunt removed his cattle from Mr. Keegan's land a few days afterwards. Mr. Keegan is stated to be "Boycotted" in consequence of the raising of certain conacre rents on the property on which he is bailiff being attributed to him. He is under police protection. I am not aware of anything in the circumstances of the county of Roscommon calling for isolated action with respect to it.
§ MR. MACARTNEYasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman could give any information as to what statement had been made to the police in connection with this matter?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI gather that no statement has been made—that those who could have made it declined to give it.