§ MR. MAHONY (Meath, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it was on the requisition of the Sheriff, and for the purpose of protecting him in the execution of his duty, that a force of police was drafted to Glenbeigh before the recent evictions; whether this force was subsequently employed in many cases after the Sheriff had completed the eviction and handed over possession, for the purpose of protecting Mr. Roe while engaged in demolishing and burning the houses; whether the Sheriff was greatly hindered and delayed in the execution 895 of his duty by the police being thus used for other purposes than the one for which they were requisitioned; and, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Correspondence which took place between the Sheriff and the Government on this subject?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)It was the duty of the police to protect the agent (Mr. Roe) while engaged in carrying out legal processes at Glenbeigh, and they did so. I am not aware that the Sheriff was, in consequence, greatly hindered and delayed in the execution of his duty. I am informed that there has been no correspondence on the subject between the Sheriff and the Government.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)asked whether, after the Sheriff had completed his legal function, and handed over possession to Mr. Roe, and desired the police to accompany him to the next eviction, the Police Inspector was entitled to keep his force on the spot for the purpose of protecting Mr. Roe while burning the houses?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHNot against the wish of the Sheriff; and I do not believe that that was done. I am not aware that the Sheriff had any reason to complain of the delay. If he had, I have no doubt he would have complained to the Government.
§ MR. E. HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Sheriff is one of a firm of land agents in the County of Kerry, and is, therefore, not likely to complain of any action of this kind?
§ [No reply.]