§ Mr. J. P. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary whether a large force of police recently accompanied the sheriff's bailiff to make seizures on the Potts property at Moore, county Roscommon; whether the police were present for any other purpose than for the preservation of the peace; whether he is aware that the acting sergeant of the Cloonfad barracks carried a whip and actually acted as cattle drover; and whether he will state if it is a portion of the police duty to act in this manner?
§ Mr. CHERRYI am informed by the constabulary authorities that on the 23rd instant a force of 20 police accompanied the sheriff and his assistants when making seizures for rent on the Potts estate. This force was subsequently augmented by 15 men from Ballinasloe. The police were present solely for the protection of the sheriff, and confined themselves exclusively to that duty. The acting-sergeant referred to took a whip from a man who was about to strike one of the sheriff's assistants and brought it back to the barracks with him. He did not use the whip or drive cattle with it.