§ MR. LUNDON (Limerick, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that on the 2nd of March, 1908, two tenants on the town property of Colonel Gascoigne, in Kilfinane, were evicted; can he say whether the landlord's representatives attended on the occasion, or did the police take part in breaking the doors; and if so, were they acting in accordance with the constabulary code.
§ MR. BIRRELLThis was a case of ejection from tenements, and the warrants were addressed to the police for execution under the Act 14 and 15 Vic., cap. 92. The houses were locked up and the tenants, who were outside, refused to give up the keys. The police, therefore, broke a pane of glass in each house in order to effect an entrance. In so doing the police were acting in accordance with the law. Possession was given up by the police to the landlord's representatives.
§ MR. LUNDONWho gave the police this order?
§ MR. BIRRELLUnder the Act the magistrates are bound to give the order, either to the police or to a special bailiff. Sometimes they give it to one and sometimes to the other. It is for the landlord to apply and then the magistrates make the order.