asked the Minister for Justice how many decrees for non-payment of debts have been issued against farmers in the counties of Longford and Westmeath during the years 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927, and how many of these have been enforced by the sheriffs in these counties.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DECREES IN LONGFORD AND WESTMEATH.
The number of judgments for money executed in County Longford in the years 1924-25, 1925-26, and 1926-27 was, respectively, 406, 354, and 299. Of the judgments executed, there were returns of nulla bona in 176 cases in 1924-5, 167 cases in 1925-6, and 141 cases in 1926-7.
The number of judgments for money executed in County Westmeath during the same period was 559 in 1924-5, 750 in 1925-6, and 536 in 1926-7. There were nulla bona returns in 303 cases in 1924-5, in 408 cases in 1925-6, and 258 cases in 1926-7.
The above figures relate to the three years ended on the 30th September last. Complete records are not available for the year 1924.
I have no figures to show many of the above-mentioned judgments issued against farmers. The court records in many cases do not contain particulars of the profession or occupation of the parties to suits, nor is this information supplied in the under-sheriff's returns.