asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he is aware that a man named Thos. Gallagher, Cornagowna, Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, has been committed to prison for non-payment of his land annuities; whether the Minister is aware that this man is unable to pay, that his detention in prison is injurious to his wife and children, some of whom are in delicate health, and will he take steps to have this man released.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leitrim Man's Land Annuities.
Thomas Gallagher was sentenced under the Enforcement of Court Orders Act to fourteen days imprisonment for failure to comply with an order of the Court to pay on the 1st June last a sum of £5 0s. 0d. on account of the arrears of Land Purchase Annuity amounting in all to £31 0s. 2d. As the order was executed on the 26th ult., the term of the sentence expires to-day. In any case I have no power to review a sentence imposed under the Enforcement of Court Orders Act.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us how many Deputies are in the same position as the man who is the subject of this question?
Did the Parliamentary Secretary take into account before taking proceedings that this man is entirely unable to pay; that he is with out means, and has a delicate wife and three children ranging from fourteen to sixteen years? Does he consider that this method of imprisoning people for non-payment of annuities when, through circumstances over which they have no control they are unable to do so, is the best method his Department can find for dealing with such cases?
We satisfied ourselves before we took proceedings that this man was in a position to pay. We also know that this man does not recognise his liability to pay any debts. Furthermore, before the District Justice granted the order he made an examination into the man's means and satisfied himself that he was in a position to pay.
In view of the very wide discrepancy between the evidence that the Parliamentary Secretary has and that which I have—and I claim that I know the circumstances quite well—I shall take the first opportunity to raise the matter on the adjournment, so that the two points of view may be discussed here.