HC Deb 26 July 1888 vol 329 cc546-7
THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON)(for Mr. SHEEHY) (Galway, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Sergeant Fletcher, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, acted as bailiff guiding the evicting force on the Vandeleur Estate to the various homesteads; whether, in this work, he was driven on a police car and accompanied by two other members of the Force; whether his duty at these evictions was confined to the preservation of the peace; and, what rule of the Police Code permitted him to fulfil the duties of estate bailiff?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

, in reply, said, that the Divisional Magistrate reported that neither Sergeant Fletcher nor any other member of the Constabulary acted as bailiff. A protecting force was sent to a certain townland, and the local police guided the force there.

MR. SEXTON

Are we to understand that it is the duty of the police to guide these eviction parties?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, he should imagine that it was consistent with the duty of the police to do so.

MR. SEXTON

When we come to the payment of the sergeant, the landlord will find that he will have to pay him.