§ Mr. O'SHEEasked the Chief Secretary what numbers of policemen were brought to guard the evicted farm of Michael Veale, in Old Parish, county Waterford, on Sundays the 9th and 16th instant; what is the principle on which the property of an Irish landlord is regarded as deserving of special protection even from the possibility of being slightly trespassed upon; whether, at the time various contingents of police were being conveyed to the 1365 vicinity of this farm on the 16th instant, a case of housebreaking occurred in Dungarvan, and property was stolen; whether the police have any time left to protect the property of the general community when their services are requisitioned to preserve the grass on derelict farms where there are no cattle to graze the same; has any person been made amenable for the burglary referred to; what is the cost of the concentrating of the police on the 9th and 16th instant; and who is to bear it?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThirty constabulary were employed on the 9th April, and seventy on the 16th April, to prevent intimidatory meetings being held on the farm from which Michael Veale had been evicted. They were not there to prevent trespass, and the ordinary duties of the police in Dungarvan were not interfered with. A case of burglary which occurred in that town on the 16th April was immediately investigated by the police, but no person has so far been made amenable. The cost of the police employed on the two occasions referred to will be paid out of the Constabulary Vote, and no portion of the expense will fall upon the local rates.
§ Mr. DAVID SHEEHYWill the landlord of this farm be required to contribute any portion of the expense of these policemen?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe answer is already contained in the reply I have given, namely, the cost will be borne by the Constabulary Vote.
§ Mr. O'SHEEWho was it who was anticipated would be intimidated? There was nobody in charge of this farm. The landlord lives in London, and the agent fifteen miles away. Who was to be intimidated?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe police authorities came to the conclusion that the whole object of the meetings was to intimidate, and so they took action.
§ Mr. O'SHEEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the police who they anticipated might have been intimidated? The only living animals on the farm are the sea gulls that fly over it.