§ MR. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether his attention has been called to the eviction of an old man, named Feargus Loughlin, living at a place called Stralongford, near Mohill, in the county Leitrim; (2) is he aware that a number of policemen stood by protecting the sheriff and emergency-men in levelling, not alone the cabin, but the pigstye; and (3) will he see that the Royal Irish Constabulary are not used for protecting men engaged in the demolition of property?
§ * THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI am informed that this man was evicted on August 14 for non-payment of rent, and that the sub-sheriff, who carried out the eviction, was protected by a party of six policemen. I am also informed that there is no foundation for the allegation in the second paragraph of the question. The rule guiding the constabulary in such cases 1566 was stated by my predecessor on January 12, 1894, when he pointed out that when the landlord, or his representative, on the completion of an eviction, proceeds to burn or level a dwelling-house, the constabulary are instructed to withdraw from the scene and to refuse protection to persons engaged in such demolition; but that if a serious breach of the peace be anticipated, it is the duty of the constabulary to have patrols in the vicinity to prevent any violence or outrage, though not for any other purpose. This is the rule that has been pursued for many years, and which will continue to be acted upon. The police state that they afforded no protection in the present instance when the premises were being demolished, and that, in accordance with the usual practice, they withdrew immediately after the eviction had been carried out.