§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on Monday last, Mr. Hardman, D.L., the High Sheriff of County Donegal, with a posse of the Royal Irish Constabulary under District Inspector Dagg, turned out of the county court house at Lifford a contractor and his workmen who were employed in making some alterations in that building according to the directions of the county council; and by whose directions were the Royal Irish Constabulary employed for this purpose.
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)The High Sheriff, as legal custodian of the county court house, 936 applied for and obtained the assistance of the police, to which he was entitled, to resist the attempt of the contractor of the county council, without the High Sheriff's consent, to make structural alterations in what is claimed to be a portion of the court house, and which, if made, would in the opinion of the Sheriff interfere with the administration of justice. The plans of the proposed alterations are, I believe, to be submitted to the High Sheriff, and I have every hope that the matter in dispute will be amicably arranged.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLHaving regard to these continual altercations between High Sheriffs and county councils, will the right hon. Gentleman bring in an amending Bill placing full power in the hands of the county councils?
§ [No answer was given.]