Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary what is the number of farms the occupiers of which are under police protection, and what is the number of police engaged on such duties?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSixteen occupiers of farms are under constant police protection and forty-six police are employed on this duty. The number of occupiers of farms protected by occasional patrols is 139. The number of police employed on such patrols cannot be stated with precision as different men perform the duty at different times.
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. Neville Clarke, of Graiguenoe Park, Holycross, Thurles, and any of the men employed by him, are still boycotted; and, if so, what is the number of police engaged in protecting them?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMr. Clarke is still partially boycotted, but I understand that the men employed by him are not boycotted. A sergeant and four constables are employed in protecting them with the occasional assistance of an additional constable from Holycross.
Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he had the official police report of the speech delivered by the 836 hon. Member for King's County at Bell Hill, near Birr, in which he advised his audience to bring their resources,, constitutional or otherwise, to bear on Mr. Goodbody if he refused to sell his land; and whether any steps are being taken to afford Mr. Goodbody and his property protection from the consequences of this advice?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have seen the police report of the speech referred to. The police are taking all necessary steps to protect Mr. Goodbody and his property.