§ MR. MAC NEILL for Mr. JAMES STUARTalso asked the Chief Secretary what was the number of Police and Military engaged in carrying out the recent evictions on the Olphert estate, and at what cost; what has been the number of Police employed since the last day of these evictions on Saturday, 13th April, in the townlands of Bally- 1357 connell, Drumnatiny,Ballynass,Ardsbeg, and Ardsmore respectively; how many of these have been employed in the protection of emergency men in what is known as protection posts, and how many houses in each of the above town-lands have been used either as protection posts or as temporary barracks; and, whether any of these were subsequently abandoned; and, if so, for what reason?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThe constabulary authorities report that 100 each of police and military were on duty in connection with the Olphert evictions. The extra pay and travelling expenses of the constabulary amounted to about £72 10s. There does not appear to have been any extra cost in regard to the military, they being quartered in the vicinity. For three days after the 13th of April, seven policemen were employed on protection duty in the townlands named. But in consequence of the retaking forcible possession of all the evicted houses, covering a tract of some 20 square miles, it became necessary to draft in 200 men, who, however, were sent back in detachments to their stations, as the condition of the district warranted, leaving a total now engaged on duty there of 38 men. Of these 10 men are employed in protecting caretakers. The number of houses used for protection posts was for a few days five, and subsequently four. The number of houses held as temporary barracks was four, one of which was surrendered after a few days, when it was found that the men could be more advantageously disposed for patrolling.
MR. MAC NEILLAs regards the abandonment of the houses, is it not the fact that the hovels into which the police were put were so wretched, the accommodation so bad, and the hardships they were compelled to suffer so great, that the men were obliged to be removed?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of that fact.
§ MR. CLANCYThe right hon. Gentleman states that there was no extra cost, and yet that there were engaged 100 police and 100 soldiers.
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, I stated that 100 police and 100 military were engaged in connection with the evictions.
§ MR. CLANCYThe right hon. Gentleman said there was no extra cost because the men were stationed there.
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI said nothing of the kind, and it would have been as well if the hon. Gentleman had listened to the answer I gave. I said that there was an expenditure of £72 10s. for extra pay and travelling expenses of the constabulary, but that there did not appear to be any extra cost in regard to the military.