§ M R. J. DILLON (Mayo, E.)On behalf of the hon. Member for East Galway, Mr. J. ROCHE, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the escort of eight policemen which accompanied the sheriffs' bailiff to the lands of Patrick M'Inerney, of Moreens West, near Carrigaholt, county Clare, to execute decree for the recovery of arrears of rent and £2 15s. costs, whether he can state what expenses were incurred by supplying this escort of constabulary, and also on whose application the escort was granted; and, whether, considering that all the arrears of rent had been paid before the decree was obtained, and that only the costs of decree were claimed, he will suggest that proper inquiry be made before a force of constabulary is sent out on such duty?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe only expense incurred by the constabulary in supplying protection to the sheriffs' bailiff in the execution of the civil bill decree in this case, was the sum of l2s. for the hire of a car. The police escort was furnished on the requisition of the sheriff. As regards the second part of the Question, I have already stated that the police had no alternative but to afford protection to the sheriffs officer in the execution of the decree. Even had the police been previously aware that the arrears of rent had been paid by M'Inerey, they would still have been bound to comply with the sheriffs requisition, and the most they could have done in such event would have been to represent the fact to the proper quarter.