HC Deb 10 December 1888 vol 331 cc1586-7
MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the forces of the Crown have yet been applied for by, or on behalf of, the Messrs. Horatio Shirley and S. E. Shirley for the eviction of 45 families, representing 250 persons, their tenants in County Monaghan, for the non-payment of arrears of rent, which accumulated before the Land Court reduced the rentals of these estates by the average amount of 43 per cent; and, whether the Government will give the forces necessary for the eviction of these tenants?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN)(who replied) (Dublin University)

said, that no application had been received by the Government in connection with the proposed evictions. He might, however, observe that the facts did not appear to be accurately stated in the Question.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (MR. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

In what respect are they inaccurate?

MR. MADDEN

said, it was not the fact that the tenants in question were to be evicted only for arrears of the old rent. Several of the cases were for arrears of the old rent; 11 for arrears of judicial rent; and 27 for arrears of both combined.

MR. SEXTON

asked whether the bulk of the arrears did not consist of arrears of old rent?

MR. MADDEN

said, he was unable to say.

In reply to a further Question by Mr. P. O'BRIEN,

MR. MADDEN

said, it was not exactly accurate that the average of rent reductions on these estates was 43 per cent.; but it was not very far off it.