HC Deb 14 June 1904 vol 136 cc26-7
MR. GILHOOLY (Cork County, W.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a body of police, under the command of County Inspector Hamilton, acted as bailiffs at the recent evictions on the Clinton Estate at Rossmaconen, and that, though no serious assault was committed on the sheriff or his assistants, the county inspector ordered men who were in one of the houses to be arrested and handcuffed; and, if so, will he state whether the police in future are to act as bailiffs for the landlords.

MR. WYNDHAM

There is no foundation for the statement that the police acted as bailiffs on the occasion referred to. The police who were present had been requisitioned by the sheriff for the protection of himself and his bailiffs in the execution of ejectment decrees. Considerable opposition and resistance were offered to the sheriff and his assistants, all of whom were struck several times by missiles thrown by the inmates of one of the houses. At this stage the County Inspector of Police ordered the male inmates (eight men) to be arrested and handcuffed. The handcuffs were very shortly removed, when the police were satisfied as to their identity. It is the bounden duty of the police to afford protection to the sheriff and his officers in the execution of legal decrees.

MR. GILHOOLY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police entered the house, and not the bailiffs?

MR. WYNDHAM

They only took the necessary measures for the protection of the bailiffs.

MR. GILHOOLY

But is it the duty of the police to enter houses, and act as bailiffs?

MR. WYNDHAM

My statement is that the police did not act as bailiffs.

MR. GILHOOLY

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will allow me to say I was present, and saw them acting as bailiffs.

MR. WYNDHAM

Seeing that the house was being used as a fort for the purpose of preventing the bailiffs doing their duty, the police had to act as they did in order to protect them.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork County, E.)

Are the police placed at the disposal of shop-keepers in the same way when they try to enforce their claims?