§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that John Johnston and Richard Cochrane, who have recently purchased farms on the Coolgreaney estate, county Wicklow, from which the former tenants were evicted, have received notices threatening them with death if they do not clear out within a month; whether in both cases farms have been provided for the evicted tenants elsewhere; and what steps the police are taking to protect these men.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the police authorities that John Johnston and Richard Corcoran, who have purchased their holdings on the Coolgreaney estate, county Wexford, received threatening letters on the 17th February. It is a fact that the persons who were evicted from the holdings in question are in occupation of farms elsewhere; but I think it right to add that I am informed by the police that these men are well-disposed, in comfortable circumstances, and are not suspected of complicity in sending the letters. Messrs. Johnston and Corcoran have been in possession of the holdings referred to for more than sixteen years, and have not beeninterfered 54 with till now. They are receiving protection by police patrols.