§ MR. JORDAN (Clare, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a report in the The Daily News, of July 31, in which it is stated that, on Monday last, at the Vandeleur evictions, the Sheriff, Mr. Croker, broke with a sledge hammer the door of the house of Mary O'Dea, and evicted her, and that she afterwards fainted; and, whether the eviction was legal; and, if so, whether the Government will grant Mary O'Dea compensation, or take steps to compel the party liable to compensate her for the damage and loss sustained and for the illegal eviction?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Divisional Magistrate reports that the Sheriff informs him that a holding was pointed out to him as the herd's house of the farm just evicted. One of the men forced the door open with a hammer. A man was inside; no woman whatever was seen. When the man said he had not been served, the Sheriff withdrew. They were not evicted, and have their own remedy against the Sheriff if they choose. The Government have no power over the Sheriff.