§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a tenant on the Blacker-Douglas estate, in the county of Kerry, named John Sheehan, has had a writ of ejectment served upon him in order to force him under duress to sign agreements for the purchase of his two holdings on unreasonable terms; whether he is aware that this tenant claims a tenant's right over a bog, which the landlord has been trying to sell to sub-tenants through the Estates Commissioners without giving John Sheehan compensation for surface damages or an opportunity of satisfying the Commissioners of the validity of his claim; and whether, seeing that this writ was served upon the tenant immediately after preferring his claim of tenant's right over the bog, and that like action was taken against the great majority of the other tenants on the estate, who were compelled to yield to the landlord's demands, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have had Sheehan's two holdings inspected, and are prepared to advance the sums of £320 and £42 respectively, but the tenant has refused to sign purchase agreements at these prices; and in the circumstances the Commissioners propose to exclude his holdings from the sale. Sheehan claimed to be entitled to a bog which has been divided by the owner, free of charge, amongst the purchasing tenants, including Sheehan. Prior to the sale the owner has from year to year been letting the bog to the tenants and the public, and paying the rates in respect thereof. Sheehan appears to owe five and a half years' rent, and the Commissioners have no power to interfere with any legal proceedings which the owner may have instituted for the recovery of the rent due.
119W