§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland on whose authority were the police told off to accompany a process server when serving ejectment processes on the tenants of the Rutland estate, near Dunkinnerly, county Donegal, on the 3rd and 5th March; why, having regard to the peaceful state of the locality and the absence of crime from this district for many years, was this step taken, which was calculated to convey an erroneous impression of the state of the country; and whether the Government will refuse to put the forces of the Crown in motion to aid eviction proceedings except in cases where there is a reasonable ground for apprehending a breach of the peace.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) This Question probably refers to the Bustard estate, near Dunkineely, county Donegal. I am informed by the police authorities that processes for rent were served on tenants upon that estate on the dates named, but that no application for police protection was made, and that in fact the police did not accompany the process-server.