§ MR. MURPHYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the estate of Mr. O'Mahony, situated at Cordal, near Castle island, county Kerry, has come before the Estates Commissioners in connection with a sale to the tenants; whether he is aware that Mr. Monserrat, the landlord's representative, forced certain tenants to sign agreements at a high price, by telling them that anyone who refused to purchase would be served with a writ for arrears of rent; and what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take in connection with purchase agreements signed under such conditions.
MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that the estate referred to has not come before them in any way, and they have no knowledge of the matters of fact alleged in the Question. I have already stated that the Commissioners will consider any evidence which comes before them of duress brought to bear on tenants to compel them to sign purchase agreements, and will take such action as they may consider just and within their legal powers.