asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if it is the intention of the Land Commission to take over the lands of Ardkeenagh, Thomastown, Athlone, from the present trustees, Messrs. Patrick Naughton, John Kenny and Patrick Seery, Thomastown, for distribution amongst those tenants who have advanced money towards the purchase of said lands.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISTRIBUTION OF ATHLONE LANDS.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
Mr. HOGAN
The lands referred to have been gazetted for acquisition under the Land Act, 1923. An objection to the Provisional List has been lodged and is at present pending.
By whom was the objection lodged?
Mr. HOGAN
There is a dispute as to who owns the land. There are trustees and occupiers, and that dispute will have to be settled before the Land Commission acquires the land.
Is the Minister aware that the occupiers are part of the trustees, and, further, that three of the trustees have a portion of the land and the tenants are paying the money to the trustees?
Mr. HOGAN
I am not aware that the occupiers are part of the trustees. They are in fact different persons.
I know they are different persons, but is the Minister aware that this property was first the property of a man living in the town of Athlone, that it was sold in 1920, and during the time of the trouble the landless men and small uneconomic holdings succeeded in beating out the big man, that these men paid £205 each, and will the Minister say if they will get back their money or will they be allowed to get portion of the land?
Mr. HOGAN
The owners, or the reputed owners, are Messrs. Kelly, Killeen, and O'Neill. The trustees are persons named Kenny, Seery, and Naughton. There is a dispute as to which of these two groups own the land, and that is a point which the High Court must settle.