§ MR. T. D. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that Captain Boileau, the magistrate appointed to preside at the investigation held at Mullingar into the circumstances connected with the murder of Mrs. Smythe, was, prior to the opening of the investigation on the 17th of July, closeted with the Crown Solicitor, the Sub-Inspector of Constabulary, and one of the approvers, for over an hour in the room known as the Judges' Chamber; and, whether he was similarly closeted with the Crown Solicitor and the Crown witnesses on the 10th of July; and, if so, what was the nature of the duties the magistrate was on those occasions discharging?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, Captain Boileau was the Presiding Magistrate at the investigation of this case. On each occasion he was in the Judges' Chamber before going into Court. The Crown Solicitor and Sub. Inspector of Constabulary also used that room, for 2098 the purpose of consulting before proceeding with the case; but Captain Boileau was never on any occasion present when one of the approvers, or any other witness, was being examined or questioned by the Crown Solicitor or Sub-Inspector. Captain Boileau never saw any witness in the case except in open Court.