§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork Co., N.E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to proceedings under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act against 80 of the inhabitants of Clare Island, women as well as men, for resisting the seizure of their cows for arrears of rent; whether the islanders so prosecuted have been recently depending for their existence upon relief administered by the Government; why the hearing of the charge did not take place on the island where the alleged offence took place; is it a fact that the two Resident Magistrates, after bringing the islanders to the mainland at Louisburgh and partially hearing the case there, adjourned to Westport, a town 13 miles further inland, obliging the islanders to undertake this long journey in a severe snowstorm, and at Westport threatened to issue warrants for the arrest of such of the islanders as were detained upon the journey; and if he will ascertain from the Magistrates the reason for the adjournment, and whether any allowances will be made to the islanders for the expenses and hardships caused to them thereby?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.The prosecutions referred to, against certain inhabitants of Clare Island, arose out of an unlawful assembly in November, 1891. It may be the case 876 that the defendants were among the islanders who were given employment on relief works on Clare Island in the spring and early summer of 1891. They also were provided at that time with seed potatoes on easy terms. They had fine crops in the autumn and they are represented to have been fairly well off and able to pay their rents when demanded in November. The Petty Sessions Court-house for Clare Island is Louisburgh. The Magistrates did adjourn the case from Louisburgh to Westport, as the place in which the Court is held at Louisburgh is merely a small room and wholly inadequate to accommodate the defendants without danger to health of all concerned. The defendants did not travel in a snowstorm. In the case of only two defendants did the Magistrates say they would issue warrants to secure their attendance; but this was unnecessary, as they subsequently appeared. No women travelled from Louisburgh to Westport. The defendants were merely bound over to keep the peace, and appeared to be well pleased at the leniency of the Magistrate's decision. The Government are not aware of anything in the circumstances of the case suggesting remuneration.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENI do not know whence the right hon. Gentleman derived his information, but I happen to know there is very sufficient accommodation at Louisburgh. I put it to the right hon. Gentleman whether really the only persons convenienced by carrying the case to Westport were the well-paid Magistrates themselves, who consulted their own comfort at the expense of these unfortunate islanders?
§ MR. JACKSONFrom full and careful inquiry, which the Report shows has been made, I am sure there is not the slightest foundation for the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman. The room at Louisburgh, if the hon. Member knows it, is, I understand, a very small room. There were quite a considerable number of persons; it was impossible to provide even seats, and the atmosphere of the room was unbearable. It should be borne in mind that the case was adjourned in the first instance at the request of the solicitors for the defendants. I think a wise course was followed in the interest of 877 everybody concerned, and I heard of no complaint until I saw the notice of the hon. Member's question.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENIf I understand the right hon. Gentleman correctly, if these poor people were able to pay anything it was simply because they had been relieved by the Government. Now, I put it to him whether the case of these poor islanders was not one for the Congested Districts Board rather than for the Criminal Law? I would put it to him whether really there is any public service to be done by carrying out these raids upon the poor people; and whether the Government intend to lend the forces of the Crown again for the seizure of the cattle of these poor people for arrears of rent? If they do this, do the Government intend to make any provision for the relief again of the people whose cattle are seized?
§ MR. JACKSONIf the hon. Gentleman desires any further information I must ask him to give notice of a question.
§ MR. MACNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether one of these Resident Magistrates, at whose instance these poor people were brought a distance of 13 Irish miles—
§ MR. JACKSONTen Irish miles.
§ MR. MACNEILLThirteen English miles—is a gentleman who was specially promoted for services rendered to the Pigott Commission?