CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Monday, 6th May last, a grass farm at Castle French, in the tenancy of John Burns, Ballygar, county Galway, was cleared of cattle by the adjoining tenants, and he was compelled to put them on another farm at Avaghty; and whether he can make any statement on behalf of the Government as to their intentions regarding the action of branches of the United Irish League in the South and West of Ireland against peaceable tenants owning grazing farms.
§ MR. CHERRYThe facts are as stated in the Question. The Government were taking steps to replace the cattle on the farm and protect them there, and also to prosecute the persons who drove them off. The Government have now been informed that these persons have abandoned their attitude of opposition to the peaceful return of the cattle to the farm and their retention there without molestation. But, if necessary, full protection will be given to the owner of the cattle.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURMay I ask whether the Government will take steps in the future to prevent such a large number of these outrages occurring?
§ MR. CHERRYAll possible steps are being taken to prevent these outrages. Extra police are being brought into the counties and ample protection is being given.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURMay I take it that, in the opinion of the right hon. and learned Gentleman, the South and West of Ireland are in a satisfactory condition?
§ MR. CHERRYI think they are. There are disturbances of some kind everywhere; in Belfast at present there are far more.