§ Mr. COSGROVEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Wednesday morning, 14th March, the sheriff, with a force of 100 police, took possession of the premises of Thomas Cun-niffe, of Corry, Killimore, county Galway, broke open a box, and took possession of a sum of money contained in the box; whether he is aware that, because of the refusal of the tenants on the Hearns-brook estate, Killimore, to pay rent pending the sale of the lands for grazing and the lodging by the tenants of the rent in the bank meanwhile, the owner issued writs against them and the theft of the money alluded to was committed in the execution of the writ against Cunniffe; 1578W and what action, if any, the Irish Executive propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. DUKEThe sheriff executed a writ for non-payment of rent against Patrick Cunniffe, Lisdilying, Killimore, a tenant on the Hearnsbrook estate, and seized ten head of cattle, the property of Cunniffe. He also entered Cunniffe's house and took possession of a £5 note which was found there, but I have no information that he broke open a box in doing so. The sheriff acted on a writ offi. fa., and the seizure was made owing to non-payment of rent by Cunniffe and other tenants on the estate who are anxious to buy the lands. Some of the tenants, I am informed, have lodged the amount of rent due in the bank. A force of sixty police protected the bailiff in carrying out the seizure, and there was no disturbance.