§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings in connection with recent attempted seizures of cattle for a half-year's rent from four tenants on the Beecher Estate, Castlemagner, county Cork; is he aware that these seizures were made in consequence of the refusal of the landlord either to sell to the tenants or to allow an abatement of the current rents; if he will say what number of policemen escorted the sheriff and bailiffs on the occasion in question, and from what districts they were drawn; and whether the sheriff and constabulary party started on this cattle-seizing expedition before daybreak; and, if so, what constabulary regulations empower policemen to act by night with a sheriff 734 in proceedings by distraint under ordinary civil bill or other decree.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Police protection was afforded to the sheriff in the execution of writs issued by the High Courts. I have no information as to the second inquiry. The force employed consisted of thirty-five men drawn from various districts of county Cork, E. R. The seizure was made at three o'clock in the morning. The police are bound to afford protection to the sheriff in the execution of writs of this character, and such writs may be executed at any hour of the day or night.