HC Deb 24 March 1890 vol 342 cc1694-5
MR. SEXTON

May I ask the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that at 6 o'clock on Friday morning a number of bailiffs at Clongorey arrested and took out of bed two women, Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Morris, and the latter's infant, and that they were conveyed to Dublin, where the woman and child are in prison; by what procedure this conduct is justified, and how long those persons are to remain in prison?

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

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow my right lion, and learned Friend to answer the question.

MR. MADDEN

I have no official information on the subject. I know that certain arrests have recently been made at Clongorey. If they are the same as those referred to by the hon. Member they are arrests for disobedience to an injunction issued by the County Court fudge at the suit of the landlord, over which the Government have no control. I am not aware that any women have been arrested. If the hon. Gentleman will place a question on the Paper I will make inquiry.

MR. SEXTON

Were the bailiffs justified in refusing to show their warrant, and is the imprisonment to be indefinite?

MR. MADDEN

I do not like to give a hypothetical answer. If the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper I will make inquiry.