§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the scene at Bodyke on Friday last, when a large force of police were engaged in carrying out seizures for rent on the estate of Colonel O'Callaghan; whether, in view of the fact that there is great difficulty in meeting the landlords' demands in this district, the Government will appoint a Commission to inquire into the relations between the landlord and tenants, with a view to ascertaining whether it would be advisable to bring about some reduction in the judicial rents; whether he is aware, on the occasion of the seizures at Bodyke, the emergency men presented loaded rifles at the faces of several people, and entered the premises of Pat Halloran, of Kilnoe, and shot his dog, and also broke into the house of Michael Doherty, National School teacher, and broke windows and doors, although his place was not on the O'Callaghan estate at all; whether he is also aware that the emergency men seized, aided by the police, 32 sheep belonging to John Malone, and not on Colonel O'Callaghan's estate; and whether the Government will take steps to prevent these acts of provocation by men engaged in the interests of the landlords at Bodyke?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that no seizures were made or attempted on Friday, the 17th inst.; but that on the following day a force of 30 men was assembled to protect the special bailiffs in executing Civil Bill processes on the estate mentioned for non-payment of rent. It appears that when the agent and bailiffs had made a seizure a knife was drawn upon the agent, and the latter to protect himself presented his rifle at his assailant. It is true that a dog belonging to Patrick Halloran was fired at by a bailiff, though I am informed this 872 was done after the dog had been set on the cattle to prevent their being driven off. The seizing party visited the house of Michael Doherty, school teacher, who is reported to be a tenant on the estate, though not actually residing on it, and one of the bailiffs entered his house through an open window without doing any damage. It is a fact that the bailiffs seized a number of sheep belonging to John Malone. As regards the second paragraph, I am afraid I can add nothing to what I have slated in reply to previous inquiries on the general question.
§ MR. W. REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to answer that portion of the question in which I ask if the Government will take steps to prevent these acts?
MR. J. MORLEYI have already answered a similar question. We do not propose to appoint a Commission. Whatever action may be necessary we shall take upon inquiries made by ourselves.
§ MR. W. REDMONDThat is not the question. I want to know if the Government will take any steps to prevent acts of provocation by emergency men such as entering the house of the man Doherty, where they had no earthly right to go?
MR. J. MORLEYI cannot say whether they had a right to go there or not. I rather understand that they consider they had. As to the steps we may take to prevent acts of provocation by emergency men we must judge the circumstances as they present themselves.
§ MR. W. REDMONDHas the right hon. Gentleman information as to the conduct of the emergency men? Do I gather that he has obtained it from the Police Authorities?
MR. J. MORLEYI am not aware of any other source from which I could obtain it, and on which I could rely.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIn consequence of the answer I have received I shall consider it my duty at the proper time on the Estimates to call the attention of the House to the sending of large forces of Police to try and collect rents—which right hon. Gentlemen have admitted the tenants cannot pay.