§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If he will state the reasons why Patrick Reilly, who was returned for trial by the magistrates sitting at Cavan Petty Sessions on 12th June, and Thomas Young, who was returned for trial by the same Bench on 26th June, were not put upon their trial at the recent assizes; and, whether the charge upon which both men were committed was for threatening and endeavouring to intimidate a man who had taken certain Boycotted lands?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Patrick Reilly was not put upon his trial, because I, in the exercise of my powers, did not think the evidence sufficiently strong against him; and Thomas Young was not put upon his trial for precisely the same reason. The charge against them was that mentioned in the Question. I did not think that the evidence was reliable.
§ MR. TOTTENHAMHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman any objection to answer my Question?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)I have answered it.
§ MR. TOTTENHAMThat was not an answer to my Question.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)I think the House will agree with me that I have given a very complete answer to the hon. Member's Question. He has asked me why these men were not put upon their trial, and I have said that it was because the Crown did not think the evidence sufficiently reliable. Then he has asked me as to whether the charges were for threatening and endeavouring to intimidate a man who had taken "Boycotted" lands, and I have said it was, but I believed that there was not sufficient evidence to sustain the charge.
§ MR. TOTTENHAMThe Question is, "If the right hon. and learned Gentleman will state his reasons?"
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)I have stated the reasons. I had to consider whether the cases were such as should be submitted to a jury or not, and I considered that they ought not to be for the reasons stated.