§ Ms. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a crowd of persons lately drove the cattle belonging to Stephen Roland off his farm at Roxborough, one mile from Kilchreest, county Galway; whether the same crowd took possession of Roland's farm, which they stocked with their own cattle, and surrounded the farm with 1283 sentries armed with sticks to prevent their cattle being driven off the farm by Roland; and what steps he proposes to take, and if any arrests have been made.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe farm in question belongs to Colonel Courtenay, for whom Stephen Roland is manager. On 14th June, 1907, Colonel Courtenay's stock was driven off the farm. The animals were replaced, and subsequently sold by the owner. On 7th April last twenty-six trespassing cattle were driven on to the farm and were removed two days later under police protection. On 10th April trespassing stock again appeared on the farm, and on 20th May they were removed by Colonel Courtenay under police protection and impounded. The police have no knowledge of the posting of sentries armed with sticks to guard the trespassing cattle, and no complaint to that effect has been received. There was no occasion for making arrests. Full protection will be afforded to Colonel Courtenay in the exercise of his rights.