HC Deb 11 June 1902 vol 109 cc366-7
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on the De Freyne and Murphy estates in the county Roscommon, forces of police are sent out during the night to aid bailiff's in making seizures of cattle; and will he state what are the rules now in force as to the supply of police on such expeditions. And whether his attention has also been directed to the fact that the police are used on both estates to collect information for the bailiffs, and actually aid in effecting seizures.

MR. WYNDHAM

On two occasions only the sheriff requisitioned and received police protection before sunrise in the execution of writs issued out of the Superior Courts against tenants on the estates mentioned. The instructions followed by the police in this matter are those which were issued during the administration of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose, consequent on the decision of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court in 1893. It is incumbent upon the police to attend to give protection in the execution of a writ issued out of the Superior Courts, and in the taking and carrying away of cattle or goods thereunder, between the hours of sunset and sunrise provided the sheriff or sub-sheriff claims such protection. The police do not collect information for the bailiffs, nor do they aid in effecting seizures.

MR. FLYNN (Cork Co., N)

Is police aid given to bailiffs between sunset and sunrise in any other class of case?

MR. WYNDHAM

It is done in this case by order of a Superior Court.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

With regard to the last paragraph of the Question, is the right hon. Gentleman sure the police do not collect information for the bailiffs? That is in direct contradiction of my knowledge.

MR. WYNDHAM

I cannot enter into argument with the hon. Member on the point.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

You are very unequal to argument.

MR. DILLON

I shall raise the question on the Estimates. My information also differs from that of the right hon. Gentleman.