§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will order an inquiry to be held into the conduct of the Sub-Sheriff in evicting Hugh Bogue when he was in a dying condition; whether the attention of the Government has been called to the statement of Father M'Kenna, P.P., of Clogher, that he publicly protested at the eviction that the man was absolutely dying when carried out; and, whether, in view of these facts, the Government intend to take any steps to prevent the forces of Her Majesty being used to evict under such circumstances?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E)The 1556 District Inspector who was in charge of the Constabulary reports that the facts are as stated. Father M'Kenna arrived after the formalities of the eviction had been completed, and Bogue was being placed in a cart. He appears to have said that it was a hard case, and that a medical certificate ought to have been procured; but this was after the eviction was over. The tenant had paid no rent for five years; in fact, from the period that his fair rent was originally determined.
§ MR. W. REDMONDI beg to give Notice that on the Constabulary Vote I will call attention to the indefensible use of the Constabulary in Ireland for the purpose of evicting people.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether a Sheriff in Ireland had power by law to postpone an eviction when it appears that the lives of the persons to be evicted are in danger; and, whether the police in such a case have instructions to refrain from carrying out such evictions?
[No reply.]
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I wish to ask—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!