HC Deb 29 April 1913 vol 52 cc1012-4W
Mr. FRANCIS MEEHAN

asked whether the Congested Districts Board, having refused to provide Michael Flynn with a farm on the Aughacashel farm, Kiltubrid, county Leitrim, from which he was evicted, will provide him with a suitable farm elsewhere, having regard to the fact that he is the only evicted tenant in the parish, and that he was given to understand that he would be reinstated when the estate was purchased?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have not purchased the farm from which Michael Flynn was evicted, and the matter of providing him with a holding is not therefore one for the Board.

Mr. O'DOWD

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the family of Thomas Hever, deceased, who was evicted from his farm on the Vesey Stoney estate, situate in the parish of Boyle, county Roscommon, are now acting as herds on the R. A. Duke estate, situate at Ross, Killaraght, county Sligo, near Boyle; whether the Vesey Stoney estate has lately been purchased by the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, whether this evicted family will be reinstated in their old holding, which was retained by the landlord up to the time of the sale, or else be provided with another farm elsewhere?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board understand that the late Thomas Hever was evicted from his holding on the Vesey Stoney estate, but they have no information as to whether his family are acting as herds on the Duke estate. The Vesey Stoney estate has recently been purchased by the Board and they will communicate with the Estates Commissioners regarding the claim of the representatives of Thomas Hever for reinstatement.

Mr. O'SULLIVAN

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the sworn statement made on 16th July, 1909, at the Castleisland Petty Sessions by Mr. Woods, district inspector of police, then stationed in Castleisland; whether he has any official information showing that Mr. Richard Walsh, evicted from the Gun Mahony estate, was a sober, industrious, respectable young man; whether this character is given to him by Mr. MacDonough, who succeeded Mr. Woods in the Castleisland district; and if Mr. MacDonald, district inspector at present in charge of the said district, is also of the same opinion as regards the character of Walsh?

Mr. BIRRELL

District Inspector Wood, on cross-examination in a case heard at Castleisland Petty Sessions on the 16th July, 1909, stated that Mr. Richard J. Walsh was a sober, respectable, industrious man. That was the character he bore in 1909. As regards the remainder of the question, it would be contrary to practice to publish the personal opinions of police officers regarding a man's character.

Mr. O'SULLIVAN

asked whether the case of Kate Shea, Sheheree, evicted tenant on the Kenmare estate, Killarney, has been inquired into; and what steps do they propose to take in the matter.

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the receipt of any application as an evicted tenant for reinstatement from the person referred to in the question.