§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a widow named Mary Walsh was recently evicted from her holding near Ballindine, county Mayo, by Lord Oranmore, and no notice of his intention to evict was served on the Claremorris Guardians, and whether, as a consequence, there was no relieving officer present on the occasion; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to prosecute Lord Oranmore for his violation of the law in this respect.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell). In such case as is supposed in the Question it rests with the Board of Guardians, and not with the Government, to institute proceedings for the recovery of the penalty from the person in default. According to my information, however, there wore no eviction proceedings in the case in question, nor did any eviction take place; but Mrs. Walsh voluntarily gave up possession of a small dilapidated cabin which she occupied, in consequence, as Mrs. Walsh alleges, of a promise made by Lord Oranmore's representative that the place would be made habitable for her.