HC Deb 02 July 1883 vol 281 cc50-1
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true that, during the hearing of a case at the Derry Petty-Sessions Court, on Monday June 25th, the Sessional Crown Solicitor for Derry, acting as solicitor at the time for the Derry Harbour Board, made use of the following observations towards the Bench:— Well, I must say, your worships have decided one thing, and that is, that this court does not deserve much respect; and, whether Her Majesty's Government in this case intends to take any action in the matter so as to prevent such public condemnations of the administration of justice by Government officials in the North of Ireland?

MR. TREVELYAN

It is the fact that Mr. Reid did—as he himself explains, "in a moment of excitement"—make an observation to the effect stated. Feeling, however, that he had acted wrongly, and that the observation was altogether unwarranted, he voluntarily attended at the opening of the Court on the following morning, expressed his regret, and apologized to the Bench, who accepted his apology. I do not think that the matter calls for further notice.