HC Deb 31 March 1884 vol 286 cc1168-9
MR. MOLLOY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been drawn to the following language alleged to have been used at a meeting of the Birr Union of the 8th March by Mr. Adam Mitchell, one of the guardians, in reference to The Midland Tribune, a Nationalist journal, tendering for a contract, together with another paper written in the Conservative and Orange interest, to which latter Paper the contract was eventually given— Mr. Mitchell said he felt very strongly that Mr. Wright should get the contract, because he has discharged his duties up to this with satisfaction. He thought it unfair and unjust to give it to parties who do not hesitate to use the strongest language towards member's of this Board, and who vilify everything honest and respectable. He would go further and say that that Paper has pointed out gentlemen of this Board for assassination; if this same Mr. Mitchell is a Justice of the Peace, Sessional Crown Prosecutor for the King's County, and a member of the Orange Society; and, if the Irish Government will continue him in the Commission of the Peace and as the Sessional Crown Prosecutor?

MR. TREVELYAN

I am informed that Mr. Mitchell did think that the contract should be given to the paper edited by Mr. Wright, inasmuch as he had given satisfaction in fulfilling the contract since the Birr Union was established, and because he believed that a saving would be effected thereby. He used language unfavourable to another newspaper, believing that he was justified by the facts. Mr. Mitchell is not a Justice of the Peace. He states that he is not, and never has been, a member of the Orange Society. He has acted as Sessional Crown Solicitor for the King's County for 17 years, during which time he has discharged his duties very zealously and efficiently. The Attorney General for Ireland does not propose to remove him. I may state that I would be extremely slow to interfere with the manner in which debates are conducted in elected local bodies by elected members.

MR. MOLLOY

I wish to ask, whether this gentleman, as Crown Solicitor of the King's County, used the language attributed to him?

MR. TREVELYAN

I do not know whether this is a proper way of ascertaining that, because there is no official reporter present on these occasions; but Mr. Mitchell does not seem unwilling to allow that the words quoted were used by him.

MR. MOLLOY

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask this gentleman whether, as Crown Solicitor for the King's County, he used these words?

MR. TREVELYAN

I have asked him, and he admits having used them.

MR. HEALY

Might I ask why this man, having alleged that a particular paper incited to assassination, did not, as Sessional Crown Prosecutor, institute a prosecution against it?

MR. TREVELYAN

said, that he had no power, neither was it his duty to do so.

MR. MOLLOY

gave Notice that he would call attention to the matter on the Estimates.