§ MR. HAYDEN (Leitrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the emergency men in charge of the holding from which John Dignan, Probagh, Ballinamore, county Leitrim, was evicted on the 13th March last, burned the timber of the offices and the lofts of the dwelling house, as well as the bushes planted by the tenant's father, thereby depreciating the value of the holding; whether they also threw down and scattered a rick of hay, and refused to allow John Dignan to rebuild it and save it from loss; whether previous to the expiration of the period allowed for redemption, these acts were legal; whether they were done with the knowledge of the police on protection duty at the place; and, whether there is any means by which the tenant can obtain compensation for the loss?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne), in reply, said, that the police were aware that the caretakers on the farm used some branches from whitethorn bushes growing near the house, and that one or two boards were missing from a hen-roost. There was about 3 cwt. of hay near the house, and the caretakers took some of it for bedding. The estate 189 bailiff gave permission to the men to cut the bushes; but, as matters of private right and legal title were involved in the matter, he was unable to say anything as to the legality of the action, or as to the means by which compensation was to be sought if it was necessary.