MR. ELYNN (Cork, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen the report in. the Cork papers of the seizure of cattle at Mitchelstown, County Cork, on the night of Monday the 1st instant, on which occasion the police acted as bailiffs, and searched for and seized some cows on the farms of Mrs. Finn (widow), Mr. Thomas Barrett, and others; whether, in so constituting themselves as bailiffs, they acted within their duty as constables; and, whether he will issue explicit instructions to the Con- 1526 stabulary Authorities as to the limits of their duty in such matters?
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) said (Kent, Isle of Thanet)The Constabulary Authorities informed him that the allegations that the police had acted as bailiffs were without foundation, A party of police accompanied some Sheriff's bailiffs on the occasion referred to, in order to afford them protection while making seizures on an estate where the Plan of Campaign was in operation; but the police took no part whatever in seizing the cattle.
§ MR. FLYNNasked, whether there was any Rule in the Police Regulations which required that the police should go on such duties at unreasonable hours of the night?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, he should ask the hon. Member to put the Question, on the Paper.