HC Deb 25 June 1907 vol 176 cc1147-8
MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that two Protestant farmers, namely, John 'rill, of Tinny Cross, Five Alley, Birr, and George Bruce, of Marsfield, Clareen, Birr, were recently notified by the secretary of the local branch of the United Irish League that if they did not surrender certain lands in their respective occupation they would be dealt with by the League; if these tenants were thereby intimidated into surrendering the two farms held by them of which this demand was made; if the police have the actual letters now in their possession; if the Estates Commissioners are now about to make advances for the sale of these lands to carry out the objects of the League; and if the Government propose to take such action as will prevent such intimidation in the district.

MR. CHERRY

The police have been informed that Messrs. Gill, Bruce, and several others have received letters purporting to have been sent by the local branch of the United Irish League requesting them to surrender their grazing farms. The letters are not in the possession of the police. Both Gill and Bruce have stated their intention of giving up their farms. Twelve persons have been returned for trial at assizes for driving the cattle off Gill's farm. The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the case of these farms as being the subject of purchase proceedings by or before them. My right hon. friend the Chief Secretary has repeatedly stated that the police have taken, and will continue to take, all possible measures to protect the holders of grazing farms in the exercise of their legal rights; and whenever sufficient evidence is forthcoming against persons guilty of intimidation, the offenders will be prosecuted.

MR. MOORE

Will the Estates Commissioners be permitted to deal with the farms which have been surrendered through intimidation?

MR. CHERRY

I do not know anything to prevent them.

MR. MOORE

But is not that putting a premium on intimidation?

*MR. KETTLE (Tyrone, E.)

Had the fact that these two men were Protestants anything whatever to do with this case?

MR. CHERRY

So far as I know nothing whatever.

MR. MOORE

It made it safer to attack them in this country.

MR. JAMES CAMPBELL

Were the police applied to by those two gentlemen for protection?

MR. CHERRY

I cannot say.