§ MR. M'GOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a man named M'Elligott, of Shruagh, Ballymagauvan, county Cavan, has been recently arrested and committed to gaol for contempt of court for retaking possession of his farm, from which he was evicted by an order of the Irish Land Commission because he refused to give up his farm to the landlord for the price fixed by the Land Commission, 1173 which was £60 less than he was offered by a solvent purchaser; is he aware that M'Elligott recently offered to pay two years rent and costs to the agent of the landlord if allowed to remain in possession; and, having regard to the circumstances under which M'Elligott was evicted, will the Government direct his release and take steps to amend the law so as to prevent similar cases arising in the future.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am informed that this man was committed to prison on the 30th July on a writ of attachment issued by the Master of the Rolls. The Executive cannot direct his release as suggested; the matter is not one in which it can intervene. To purge his contempt he must apply to the Master of the Rolls. The reply to the concluding inquiry is in the negative.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)How long may this man be kept in prison?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat rests between him and the judge.
§ MR. M'GOVERNWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have no right to review the proceedings of a court of law, and I do not propose to do so.