§ MR. W. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Martin O'Malley has just been evicted by a force of police from his holding on Clare Island, and that a large number of ejectment processes are pending against islanders who were last year saved from starvation by public relief; and will the Government assist in carrying out any further evictions on the island?
§ MR. JACKSONThe Constabulary authorities report that the man referred to was evicted not by the police, but, at the suit of the landlord, by the Sheriff. Nineteen ejectment processes appear to have been taken out on the 1st inst. The hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that the Government do not assist in carrying out evictions; personal protection to the Sheriff and bailiffs is afforded by the police when they are requisitioned so to do.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Sheriff is also agent to the landlord, and will he continue to enable this gentleman as Sheriff to requisition the Forces of the Crown to protect himself as land agent for his own private purposes?
§ MR. JACKSONI have no knowledge of the circumstances whether the person referred to acts in the double capacity, but, of course, the police are bound to give him protection when he acts in his capacity of Sheriff.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENI will put down a further question for to-morrow on this subject, and press for more information.