MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, (1) whether he can explain who is responsible for, and what are the causes of delay in, the Chancery Redemption suit of Reade v. Purcell (Kilkenny), now 27 years pending; (2) whether he is a ware that several of the plaintiffs in the case, who were tenants on the estate, and who were evicted for non-payment of one year's rent some years ago, have since died in the workhouse, and that others surviving are destitute; (3) what is the annual rental of the estate; (4) who is the receiver, and what is the cost per annum of administering the estate by the Court of Chancery; and, (5) whether he will take steps to have the suit of Reade v. Purcell brought to trial at once?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.As far as I have been able to ascertain, the facts are as follows: An Order was made in the suit by the Vice Chancellor in the year 1871, referring it to the Land Judge to appoint a receiver over the estate. The receiver was in due course appointed, and has been since in receipt of the rent. In 1883 a petition for sale was presented to the Land Judge Court, but no sale has as yet taken place, and until it has been effected the suit cannot be wound up. I am unable to obtain any precise information on the matters mentioned in the second paragraph of the question. In reply to the third paragraph, I beg to say that the annual rental of the estate is £384. 3s. 0d., and the entire sum collected last year for rent and arrears was £416. 3s. 0d., the receiver's fees and costs for collecting which were £28. 17s. 11d. The Executive are in no way responsible for this delay, and have no power to interfere to accelerate the proceedings. According to the practice of the Court, the parties interested have the remedy in their own hands. They can bring any person responsible for the delay before the Court, and, should they so desire, can expedite the sale and have the suit terminated.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the plaintiff's in the case are paupers, that two or three of them have already died in the workhouse, and is there no possible means, in the interests of justice, of so expediting matters that they may have an opportunity of being heard?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDwas not aware of the position of the plaintiffs, nor had he any power in the matter.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDI am not aware, but I will obtain the information for the hon. Member if he desires it.