HC Deb 08 June 1882 vol 270 cc469-70
MR. CHARLES RUSSELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the case of J. M. Johnson, of Dundalk, ex-suspect, who was, on the 2nd of June instant, ordered by the magistrates in Petty Sessions at Dundalk, to find bail to keep the peace, and committed to prison for three months in default thereof; whether the magistrates acted upon the complaint of a police constable who alleged that while Johnson was, on the 14th May, engaged in photographing a hut in which a woman and her family lately evicted were living, the constable bade Johnson good day, to which Johnson made no reply; that Johnson then told the constable "to mind himself of the dynamite in the camera," and added— That he heard that three landlords and a sub-inspector of police had been arrested for the Phoenix Park murders; whether any information or complaint was made by the constable till twelve days after the occurrence, namely the 26th May, when a warrant for his arrest was issued by the resident magistrate, under which Johnson was brought in custody before the magistrates on the same clay; whether the case was adjourned for a week, Johnson being allowed bail by a majority of the bench (the resident magistrate dissenting); whether the Crown Solicitor, who attended to prosecute on behalf of the police, did so in consequence of any special instructions, or on account of the supposed gravity of the case; what offence Johnson is supposed to have committed, and under what statute the warrant was issued, the proceedings taken, or the order to find bail or for committal was made; and, whether the Lord Lieutenant approves of the course pursued by the magistrates or proposes to take any steps in reference thereto?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the facts as set forth in the Questions of the hon. and learned Member are substantially correct, except that Johnson is charged with telling the constable to "beware of dynamite," without any reference to the camera. The Executive considered it proper that the Crown Solicitor should attend the hearing of the charge. This being a case in which an order has been pronounced by the magistrates, and which the party concerned may have reviewed in the Court of Queen's Bench, His Excellency does not consider that the matter is one in which he should interfere.

MR. CHARLES RUSSELL

said, the right hon. Gentleman had not answered his Question, what was the offence Johnson had committed?

MR. TREVELYAN

That is precisely the Question I am not willing to answer, because the case can be brought to the Court of Queen's Bench and reviewed there.

MR. CHARLES RUSSELL

gave Notice that on a future day he would ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it was a rule of the Irish Executive, when a case was one which might be reviewed on an appeal to the Court of Queen's Bench, not to interfere when there was that right of appeal?