§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork County,) Mid.I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an eviction sale took place recently at the Courthouse, Cork, of the interest of Timothy Murphy, of Coolekerane, Millstreet, County Cork, in his holding on the Thompson-Orpen estate, that the tenant offered a reasonable settlement by way of purchase or the giving of a fair rent, and that this was refused by the agent on the estate, Mr. H. D.M. Barton, the Bush, Antrim, and that proceedings for the eviction of the tenant have been since instituted in the High Courts, Dublin, and notice of eviction served on the relieving officer for the Millstreet Union,; and, seeing the danger to the public peace from a harsh eviction of this kind, will he state what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that no proceedings for the sale of the estate referred to in the Question have been instituted before them. Assuming, however, that the facts of the case are as stated by the hon. Member, it does not appear that the Government would have any power to interfere. A landlord cannot be prevented from exercising his legal rights under the machinery of the Courts of law.