§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that, in connection with legal proceedings on the Thompson-Orpen Estate, near Millstreet, county Cork, some members of the Constabulary force (including Sergeant Lee and Constable Cahill) have urged the tenants to pay the old rents and otherwise intervened in matters outside their ordinary duties; and, if so, will the Constabulary authorities take action in this matter.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)I am informed that the suggestion in this Question is absolutely devoid of foundation.
§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that ejectment decrees have been obtained against several tenants on the Thompson-Orpen Estate, near Mill-street, county Cork, for the non-payment of one year's rent, including the hanging gale; and whether, in view of the fact that purchase negotiations were in progress, and in consequence of the terms demanded by the landlords the tenants had served originating notices to fix fair rents, he will consider the advisability of withholding the forces of the Crown for the purpose of the proposed eviction.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe tenants on this estate refused to pay their rents because the landlord would not sell to them at their own terms. Subsequently a party of armed men visited several of the tenants, fired shots, and warned them not to pay. Two arrests have been made in connection with this occurrence, and the accused have been returned for trial at the next Assizes. The landlord has obtained ejectment decrees against ten of the tenants. The Executive are bound in law to afford protection to the sheriff in the execution of the King's Writs.
§ MR. ATKINSONWe are bound by law to give the protection asked for.