§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following statements made in The Freeman's Journal of the 13th January 1887, with reference to Lord Charlemont's estate in Tyrone—
I have learned that during the past week patrols of police visited the houses of respectable Protestant farmers and inquired if they had paid their rent; and, if not, when they were going to do so. The Secretary to the Tenants' Committee has received special attention from the police, who followed him to houses he entered to ascertain what his business was. To one tenant they even went the length of suggesting or dictating what he ought to do— 885 a piece of audacity that would lave provoked strong resentment if it had been repeated. These farmers are all Protestants. Mr. Arthur Byrne, the chairman of the last meeting, was also visited and subjected to much annoyance. In reply to a remonstrance from one tenant, the police stated they were complying with the orders of superior officers. Owing to this conduct, a good many tenants were intimidated from attending the meeting to-day as they feared some coup;whether such statements or any of them are true; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to place the Royal Irish Constabulary at the disposal of Irish landlords free of charge in the capacity of rent warners and state bailiffs?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)The newspaper report mentioned attracted attention at the time, and inquiry showed that the statements contained in it reflecting on the action of the Constabulary are altogether erroneous.