CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state full particulars of the eviction of a herd near Athenry on 2nd November last; what led to the eviction; did the police make a baton charge; were stones thrown by the crowd; were any persons injured; were any arrests made; and, if so what sentences were passed.
§ MR. BIRRELLOn the occasion in question a herd in the employment of a small landlord near Athenry was evicted. The eviction was due to the fact that the herd had refused to do his work on account of a dispute between the landlord and his tenants. The warrant for possession was addressed to a special bailiff, who, with his assistants, was protected by a force of sixty police. The house was barricaded, but the herd and his family left without offering any resistance after the door had been forced. When, however, the bailiffs proceeded to drive the herd's stock off the farm they were obstructed by a crowd of 200 to 250 people, who became disorderly and threatening and had ultimately to be dispersed by a baton charge. The police saw no stones thrown, and they are not aware that any persons were injured. No arrests were made.