MR. M'FADDEX (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the eviction of a tenant named Allison, in the petty sessions district of Newtown cunning ham, county Donegal, when the sheriffs' officer had to remove the tenant from a sick bed; whether a doctor's certificate that it was dangerous to remove the tenant was produced; is he aware that the tenant, at the hearing of proceedings at the Newtowncunningham Petty Sessions, stated that he had paid in rent to the landlord over £2,000 down to the value of the fee simple of the farm; and whether the forces of the Crown will in future be sent to assist the sheriffs in Ireland in carrying out such evictions.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe eviction of Allison was carried out on the 6th instant in pursuance of a magistrate's warrant for possession. At the hearing of the case a statement was made on behalf of the tenant to the effect mentioned in the third paragraph; the statement, however, was not proved. After eviction, a sum of £50 was offered to Allison by the agent, but was rejected. I am informed that Allison was carried out of the house in his bed. No medical certificate, however, was produced such as is alleged, nor was a doctor present. Upon the information before me, it appears that the man was in his usual health before, during, 63 and after the eviction. In reply to the last paragraph, it is the imperative duty of the Crown to afford protection to sheriffs or their officers in the execution of writs or decrees issued by a competent Court.
§ MR. M'FADDENWas the evicting landlord in this case one of the Government candidates at the last General Election?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!