HC Deb 21 January 1913 vol 47 cc235-6W
Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary whether two men named Connor, tenants of the Foley estate, Clabane, Tralee, are about to be arrested for being unable to pay the costs of an action against them by the landlord, who is at present acting as bailiff of the estate; whether the order for their attachment was granted by the Court on the affidavit of Mr. Norwood, which contained a number of statements that were wholly untrue; whether these alleged facts were supplied by Mr. Foley, the landlord; whether the Messrs. Connor furnished an affidavit showing their condition in life and their inability to pay, one of them being in receipt of an old age pension; and whether, under these circumstances, the Law Officers of the Crown will be asked to intervene to prevent injustice being done to those men?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Registrar of the Land Judge's Court informs me that on 21st June last two men named O'Connor were by Order of the Court restrained from trespassing on a vacant farm on the Foley estate and ordered to pay three guineas costs. The costs not having been paid an order for their attachment was granted on 13th December on the affidavit of Mr. Norwood that they were well able to pay. Both the O'Connor's made affidavits stating their circumstances and their inability to pay, one of them being in receipt of an old age pension. The Law Officers cannot interfere in the matter which is entirely for the Court to deal with.