§ MR. O'HEA (Donegal, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If an application has been made to the authorities for military and police to assist in carrying out a series of evictions on the estate of Captain Hill, at Gweedore, County Donegal; if his attention has been called to an article which appeared in The Londonderry Sentinel of the 9th June—
But, in addition to the execution of the 60 ejectment decrees, the procedure in connection with which will be the putting out of the inmates and furniture and the securing up of the doors, opportunity will be taken to execute some 37 warrants in cases where tenants have been re-instated as caretakers, and have failed to redeem within the stipulated period of six months. In these instances the houses will be pulled down and final possession taken over by the agent on behalf of the landlord;510 and, in what capacity has Colonel Stewart been sent to Gweedore, or has his presence there any connection with these "contemplated evictions?"
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN)(who replied) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)said, the hon. Member had favoured him with a copy of the newspaper referred to. He did not know on what evidence the statement in the paper had been made. He understood, however, that the Sheriff had told the County Inspector of Constabulary that it was possible he would make application for military and police protection in this case for some day not yet fixed. Gweedore was made the headquarters of a Resident Magistrate, and Colonel Stewart, as one of the Resident Magistrates, had been sent there.
§ MR. O'HEAasked, if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would say whether it was in expectation of the evictions that Colonel Stewart was sent to Gweedore?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANsaid, Colonel Stewart was not sent in consequence of expected evictions; but because the whole of the district had been in a disturbed state for some time.