§ Mr. HAYDENasked the Chief Secretary whether the police are engaged watching the cattle of Mr. Potts, at Long Island, near Shannon Bridge, county Roscommon; how many police are so occupied, and what is the number of cattle on the island; whether Mr. Potts's herd resides three miles away and visits the place once in every 24 hours; whether the actual herding of the cattle, such as driving them back to the island if they get on to the mainland and the prevention of trespass, is done by the police; whether this is a portion of their duty; and, if not, whether he will see that in future they will not act as herdsmen, but confine themselves to their proper functions?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Constabulary authorities that no police are engaged in watching the 22 cattle on Long Island. Five police arc stationed at Shannon Bridge, and one of their duties, with a view to the prevention and detection of offences against the criminal law, is to patrol occasionally to Long Island. The owner's herd lives over three miles from the island and visits the cattle at least twice daily. Part of the farm is on the mainland and the cattle can pass between it and the island. The police do not act as herdsmen or interfere with trespass.