Mr. COSGRAVEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the 30th April last the police, at the direction of District-Inspector Leitham, assisted three property-defence association men to drive stock off the lands of Lisduff, Killimor, county Galway; whether this is any part of the duty of the police; and if he will give instructions that such a course is not to be adopted in future cases where disputes prevail?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that, on the 30th March last—not April as stated in the question—a party of thirty police, under the charge of the District Inspector referred to, were engaged in affording protection from a large hostile crowd to three Property Defence Association men employed by the vendor of Lisduff farm in collecting and removing a number of sheep which had been driven on the farm. In giving this protection, which did not include assistance in driving off the sheep, the police were acting in the exercise of their duty, and I am not prepared to give any instructions of the nature indicated in the last part of the question.