§ Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. John J. Therry, of Springvale, Kildorrery, county Cork, a justice of the peace, on the 11th March, entered on the lands of Miss Eliza Coughlan, of Springvale, Kildorrery, a judicial tenant on the estate of Stephen Grehan, Banteer, county Cork, over which he is agent, and commenced to fell an ash tree adjacent to her dwelling-house with a hatchet; that a workman of his, named James Kelleher, was close at hand at the time with a hand saw and cross-cut saw to assist him in cutting it down; whether he is aware that, when Miss Coughlan went to remonstrate with him, and while trying to make him desist, he attempted to strike her with the hatchet; if, after a struggle between them, Miss Coughlan, having wrested the hatchet and took it into her house, Mr. Therry went before Mr. Dixon, resident magistrate at Kildorrery, and made an information charging her with stealing and taking by force his hatchet; and that Miss Coughlan was arrested and brought under escort to Kildorrery police barracks; will he say how long this lady was detained in custody; what authority Mr. Therry had to enter upon lands which Miss Coughlan holds as a judicial tenant; is he aware that Mr. Therry again, on the 17th March, entered upon her lands, accompanied by a policeman; will he say upon whose authority the policeman acted; is he aware that a charge of assault, arising out of this transaction, was made against Miss Coughlan by Mr. Therry, at Kildorrery, on the 9th April, but was dismissed; and if he will bring this conduct under the notice of the Lord Chancellor, with a view to Mr. Therry's fitness to hold the commission of the peace being considered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that legal proceedings are about to be instituted by Miss Coughlan against Mr. Therry in respect of the matters mentioned in the question, and, pending their determination, the Lord Chancellor does not consider that it would be desirable for him to take any action in the matter.