§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked whether Mrs. Hall, of Clooney House, Quin, county Clare, a lady of eighty years of age, has for some time past been boycotted because she refused to sell her demesne lands, in addition to other lands which she had sold to the Estates Commissioners; whether her herd, labourer, and gardener were each ordered to quit her service, and did so; whether her barn was burnt down and her hay destroyed; what measure of protection is being afforded to Mrs. Hall; how long has she been under police protection; and whether there is any indication that the need for this protection has ceased?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for York on 25th March, 1909. Mrs. Hall 1359 is still boycotted, but there are signs of improvement in her case. She has been under police protection since February, 1909, and is still protected by a sergeant and three constables. The police authorities inform me that it would not be advisable at present to withdraw the police protection.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEHas there been any result from the undertaking given by the hon. Member for East Mayo that the United Irish League would use the whole strength of the organisation to rescue Mrs. Hall?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not a party in any way to any obligations or promises made outside my own Department.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman make some special effort to afford protection to this poor lady?
§ Mr. BIRRELLShe has, and will continue to have, the ample protection of a sergeant and three constables.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that sufficient protection for this poor lady at her advanced age, and as she has now been boycotted for more than two years should not more protection be given?
§ Mr. BIRRELLShe has had the fullest possible protection. I have always said that her case is a very hard and very shocking one. She has received the fullest protection.