HC Deb 29 June 1893 vol 14 cc344-6
MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Cullen, who recently took some land from which wood had been cut on the property of the late Mr. Hume-Dick, near Baltinglass, County Wicklow; whether it is true that Cullen was summoned to appear before the local branch of the National Federation to answer for his conduct; whether the Federation decided that Cullen's act did not amount to land-grabbing, but "that it was cowardly and mean of him to take the laud at a rent;" if this man's premises were set on fire on the night following the meeting of the Federation; and whether, in view of the spread of this practice of holding what are known as League Courts, the Government propose to take any steps for dealing with them?

MR. J. O'CONNOR (Wicklow, N.)

Will the hon. Member say if he means by premises a dwelling house, or only an attached shed? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether County Wicklow is not one of the most peaceful counties in Ireland?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I referred to premises adjoining the dwelling.

MR. J. MORLEY

It is the case that Wicklow is one of the most quiet and peaceful counties in Ireland. The facts are as stated in the first three paragraphs of the question. With regard to the fourth paragraph, it appears that at about 8 o'clock on the following evening (5th June) a car shed, the property of Cullen, was set on fire, and damaged to the extent of about 30s. There is no evidence in the possession of the Executive that a breach of the law, by intimidation or otherwise, was committed at the meeting referred to in question and described as a "League Court."

MR. SEXTON

Is there any evidence to support the assertion in the question that the practice of holding League Courts is spreading?

MR. J. MORLEY

There is no evidence of what takes place at the League meetings, which are private.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

The right hon. Gentleman has admitted that the statements in the first three paragraphs are correct; is not that evidence, whether the gathering be a League Court or not, that it is doing that which it has no legal right to do?

MR. J. MORLEY

I believe it has been decided that there is no legal right to hold gatherings of this kind. The difficulty is to get evidence.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to see if the proceedings of these Courts can be got at by the Executive?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am taking all the steps which experience and my sense of responsibility dictate to see that law and order are maintained in Ireland.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)

The right hon. Gentleman says that these Courts have not spread. May I ask him whether it is within his knowledge that these Courts do, as a matter of fact, exist?

MR. J. MORLEY

It is not within my knowledge that such Courts do exist. If I have any evidence as to them I shall be able to deal with them.

MR. SEXTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that a solitary instance of this kind in a peaceful town affords any rational basis for a question such as this?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I beg to say I did not base the question on a solitary case.