HC Deb 04 June 1888 vol 326 cc1025-6
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the following from The Freeman's Journal of May 25:— Longford, Thursday—Yesterday 100 police proceeded on cars to the townland of Corley, in the parish of Mountcashel, and assisted at the eviction of a man named Dooley on the estate of Colonel King-Harman. With reference to the evictions at Tang on Monday, I learn that the names of the evicted men were Fox, and that the landlord was Colonel King-Harman, emergency-men being left in possession. I am also informed that it is Colonel King-Harman's intention to place emergency-men in each evicted homestead; And to the following from The Freeman's Journal of May 30:— Keenagh, Co. Longford, Tuesday—For the past seven days the forces of the Crown have been employed in evicting tenants from their holdings, principally on Colonel King-Harman's property. To-day five families, consisting of some 30 individuals, were evicted in this locality; how many persons in all were evicted on this property; and, would there be any objection to a Return being granted showing the number of processes and ejectments issued in the last 12 months on this estate, and the cost of the assistance given to evicting parties thereon by the forces of the Crown? The hon. and learned Gentleman also asked if the Chief Secretary could say when the right hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel King-Harman) would resume his Parliamentary duties?

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

I will answer the Question on the Paper. The Divisional Magistrate reports that no person of the name of Dooley appears to have been evicted as alleged. Nine families, consisting of 80 persons, have been evicted. These tenants owed large arrears, had had liberal offers made them, and appear to have been able to pay, but dare not. There are on this landlord's Longford property some 850 tenants; and during the 36 years before the Land League movement 21 evictions only took place. An objection would exist to such a Return as that indicated in the last paragraph, inasmuch as, if granted, a similar one could not well be refused in regard to any other estate.