§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the same day that Mr. Persse's farm was cleared of sheep and cattle the farm of Mr. Palmer, near Athenry, was also cleared; and, seeing that a movement is on foot to raid another farm of Mr. Persse's at Boyhill, near Athenry, what steps are being taken to deal with this state of lawlessness.
I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 28th May a crowd of about 150 men invaded the grass farm of Rathreddy, near Athenry, now held by Mr. Burton Persse, J.P., where they found two herds shearing Mr. Persse's sheep, and that the crowd tore up the fleeces and scattered the wool 1431 over the fields, and drove the sheep and cattle on to the high road; will he say how many police were present during the proceedings, and how many arrests were made; and has he any official information showing that the fact that Mr. Persse did his duty as a magistrate in deciding for the conviction of certain persons charged with clearing grass farms at Castle Ellen and Elphin was publicly proclaimed in the district as the reason for the outrage.
§ MR. BIRRELLOn 28th May a crowd of about 100 persons drove cattle from Mr. Palmer's farm and sheep from Mr. Persse's farm on to the public road. It is, however, not the fact that the crowd tore up the fleeces and scattered the wool. Two policemen were present. No arrests were made, but proceedings have been instituted against five men whom the police identified, and these proceedings are now pending. Mr. Persse was one of the bench of magistrates at Athenry who returned certain defendants for trial upon a charge of unlawful assembly and intimidation. This gentleman's farm at Boyhill is being constantly protected by three policemen, and arrangements have been made for speedy communication with Athenry to obtain assistance if necessary. The farm is within a mile of Athenry Police Station.