§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received reports of the driving of the cattle off the land of MR. Blake, near Roxburgh, on Friday, the 14th instant, and of damage 627 caused by a crowd of persons to the fences of the farm; and whether any persons have been prosecuted for this offence.
I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Friday, the 14th instant, the cattle were driven off a farm belonging to Colonel Arthur Courtenay, at Ballyshea, near Roxburgh; whether he is aware that Colonel Courtenay has sold most of his farms to the tenants, under the Ashbourne Act, at eighteen years purchase; and whether he is prepared to assist Colonel Courtenay in any steps he may take for the defence of his property.
§ MR. BIRRELLI will answer these two Questions together. The police have reported that cattle were driven off the farms of MR. Blake and Colonel Courtenay on the same occasion, and apparently by the same persons. Damage was done to a wall bounding MR. Blake's farm. It is, I understand, the fact that Colonel Courtenay has sold the greater part of his property under the Ashbourne Act. No persons have been prosecuted for the offence, as the police have no evidence against the offenders. The police will afford all possible protection to the farms of these gentlemen and others.