HC Deb 23 February 1883 vol 276 cc706-7
MR. MACARTNEY

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether the attention of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland has been directed to the alleged language of a Mr. O'Neill, one of the magistrates sitting at Petty Sessions at Londonderry on Monday, the 5th of February, 1883, who is reported by the "Londonderry Standard" of the following day to have said to a brother magistrate, Mr. M'Vicker, "Man, you have no more conscience than a mad dog;" and, further, to have said "that the Lord Chancellor did not do what he ought to do, or Mr. M'Vicker would not have been there long ago;" and, whether the Government are going to take any steps in the matter?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER),

in reply, said, the attention of the Lord Chancellor was directed to the proceedings mentioned, and he had caused a letter to be addressed to Mr. O'Neill. A reply had been received from him expressing deep regret for the use of the language referred to, and giving an undertaking that nothing of the kind should ever occur again. Under the circumstances, and bearing in mind that Mr. O'Neill being an old and very respected magistrate, the Lord Chancellor had not considered it necessary to take any further steps.