§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Whether his attention has been called to the report in The Freeman's Journal of an eviction at Coolnariska, Queen's County, on the property of Major Fitzmaurice, under the following circumstances: the evicted tenant, Michael Brennan, is 78 years of age, and his family consists of a wife and eight children, four of whom are suffering from measles. The tenant asked to be left in possession for a week or two, till the children were convalescent; but Mr. Stokes, the agent, refused to give any time, and ordered the bailiffs to proceed. That Brennan then offered to pay a year's rent down, and get security for the balance due; but this offer was also rejected. That the bailiffs then carried the sick children out, without giving them time to put on their clothes, and left them sitting on a dunghill, and afterwards threw out the furniture and bedclothes, and locked the house; whether the facts are as above stated; whether, shortly after, Brennan was arrested under an order of the Court of Chancery, and that both he and his wife were imprisoned some months ago in Tullamore Gaol by the same Court for attempting to regain the shelter of his house for his sick children; and, whether he will inquire into the circumstances of the case?
§ MR. LALOR (Queen's Co., Leix)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord 1467 Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the eviction of Michael Brennan, 78 years of age, his wife, and eight children, four of the latter in measles, on the property of Major Fitzmaurice, in the Queen's County; whether he will inquire if it is true, as stated in the report, that Mr. Stokes, the agent, refused the request of the man, who offered a year's rent down and security for the balance, to give a fortnight's time, until the children would be convalescent; whether the bailiffs carried the sick children out, as alleged, without giving them time to put on their clothes, and left them sitting on the dunghill; and, whether, as President of the Local Government Board, he can say what has become of this family?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I find that Michael Brennan was arrested in August last under a writ of attachment issued by the Court of Land Judges in consequence of his refusing to obey their order directing him to give up possession to Mr. Stokes, the receiver under that Court, of his holding. Immediately on regaining his liberty in January last he again took possession. A further conditional order was thereupon made for an attachment against him. He did not offer to pay a year's rent down and give security for the balance. On the contrary, he distinctly stated in his affidavit that he was wholly unable to pay his arrears; but that he hoped, with the assistance of his friends, he might be able to pay a year's rent. His wife was never imprisoned by the Court. The Constabulary report that they arrived an hour after the turning out of these people, having casually heard of it. The family were standing in the yard, dressed. They would not proceed to the workhouse, but have entered into the occupation of an outhouse, where they are at present living, and are reported to be all now quite well. In connection with the newspaper report on which these Questions appear to be based, I may mention that Major Fitzmaurice had no control whatever in the matter, the property being in Chancery, and that Mr. Stokes was not the agent of the landlord, but an official under the Court. I should further add that Brennan does not appear to have paid rent for a good many years,