§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of police at present stationed in Gort, county Galway, the number of extra police stationed in the town, and the cost of such extra police to the ratepayers of the county; and whether, having regard to the fact that Gort is one of the most peaceable towns in Ireland, and that it is over-garrisoned against the will of the people, he will have the additional police force removed forthwith?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police in Gort consist of one district inspector, one head constable, and nineteen men. They are required not so much for the town itself as for patrolling the district around it. There are no extra police in the town.
§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked how many grazing farms in the police district of Athenry are under police protection; what are the names of the landlords who have let these lands, the graziers who now hold them, the number of acres, and the valuation; whether any effort has yet been made by the Congested Districts Board to get possession of these farms; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the police authorities that twenty-five grazing farms in the Athenry police district are under police protection. No useful purpose would be served by publishing the names of the owners and occupiers of these farms or their area. The Congested Districts Board have not purchased any grass lands or farms in the neighbourhood of Athenry, nor is it their intention to do so. It would be contrary to the established practice to state the reasons which actuated them in the exercise of their discretion.
§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked whether the Chief Secretary would state the number of extra police now stationed at Craughwell, county Galway; the date or dates on which such extra police were drafted in there; the cost per month to the county; and whether, in view of the fact that all the lands in the parish of Craughwell have been sold to the tenants excepting a small estate owned by Lord Clanricarde, and that there is now no crime in that district, he would have the number of extra police there removed without delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere are seven extra police now at Craughwell. They were sent there in February, 1909. The charge to the county is at the rate of £34 9s. 3d. a year per man. It is true that the lands in the parish of Craughwell have been sold to the tenants except 2,000 acres belonging to Lord Clanricarde. There is nothing in the state of Craughwell which would justify the reduction of the police force.
§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state how many extra police are now stationed in Athenry police district; what is the cost per month for the upkeep of such extra police; and whether, seeing that Athenry and the surrounding districts are absolutely free from crime of any sort, excepting some slight explosions of political temperament due to the behaviour of a small number of individuals whose grass-grabbing propensities are the cause of any 1702 existing troubles, he will ask the Congested Districts Board to take over these disputed lands for the welfare of the community and the general relief of the taxpayer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere are at present sixty-eight extra police stationed in the Athenry district. The charge on the county in respect of them is at the rate of £34 9s. 3d. a year per man. The district is by no means free from crime. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Congested Districts Board do not propose to buy lands in the neighbourhood.