§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What were the reasons for the evictions recently carried out by Captain Hamilton on the Brooke Estate, at Coolgreany; if Captain Hamilton's conduct, in acting as Sheriff on the occasion, was legal; if it is a fact that two of the tenants evicted—namely, John O'Neill and William Ford, owed the landlord no rent at all; and, if it is a fact that the landlord was indebted to O'Neill for work done?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I have no information which would enable me to answer the third and fourth paragraphs of this Question. I presume the reason for the evictions was that the tenants had not paid their rents. I am not aware that Captain Hamilton acted as Sheriff, and I do not see how he could have done so.