§ MR. DILLONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it a fact that Mr. John O'Brien, who was arrested in November last, charged with inciting to Boycotting, whereas the real charge against him, by local authorities, and reported to the Castle, was
Being the ringleader of a riotous mob in the town of Roscrea, on the night of 26th August, 1881;if it is a fact that Mr. O'Brien was sent for trial, in company with two others, on said charge; if it is a fact that Judge Barry, at the Kilkenny Winter Assizes, on hearing the evidence of the police, ordered the prisoner's discharge, without going into the evidence for the defence; and whether Judge Barry said, "In this case the police were the real aggressors;" and, whether Mr. O'Brien will now be released?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe charge upon which John O'Brien has been arrested is that stated in the Returns before Parliament—"Boycotting." It is quite true that this man was suspected of having formed one of a mob of persons who assaulted the police in the town of Roscrea on the 26th of August last. Several of the police were very badly injured on the occasion, and two persons were sent for trial at the Winter Assizes as having been engaged in the assault. O'Brien was in custody under the Protection Act at the time of the Assizes, and was not put on his trial. The Crown Solicitor informed me that it was distinctly proved that they were in the mob, but the Judge did not think there was sufficient evidence of participation in the riot, and stopped the case, but that he did not say the Constabulary were the aggressors, nor did he utter one word condemnatory of them. His Excellency has had O'Brien's case under consideration, but finds he cannot at present order his release.