§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a farmer named Richard 35 Kingston, residing at Curraclough, Lissarda, county Cork, who, with his family and servants, has been boycotted at the instigation of the local branch of the United Irish League for the past eighteen months, the reason alleged for the boycott being that Kingston refuses to surrender a farm which he has occupied for thirty years, and which he has recently purchased outright under the Land Act of 1903; and, seeing that Kingston is now under permanent police protection and unable to purchase the necessaries of life for himself and his family, will he state what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSummonses have been issued against a number of persons for intimidation and assault in connection with this matter and are to be heard tomorrow. It is not desirable to discuss the case while these summonses are pending.
§ Mr. NEWMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is a fact that the petty sessions court before which the case will be tried contains at least two members of the United Irish League?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI really cannot tell what may foe the relations of all the members of these petty sessions. All I know is the court is sitting to-morrow.