HC Deb 04 April 1887 vol 313 c363
MR. O'HANLON (Cavan, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Mayor of Derry and three local magistrates, at the Derry Petty Sessions on Monday last, dismissed a summons, brought by the Great Northern Railway Company, Ireland, against Robert Wallace, a commercial traveller, charging him with intent to avoid paying his fare; and, whether the magistrates acted within their powers in so doing.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The facts are substantially as stated in the Question. I understand that the case was to be reheard to-day on a fresh summons in a different form.

MR. O'HANLON

My Question has not been answered.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I suppose the hon. Gentleman refer to the last paragraph. Well, I do not think it any part of my duty to say whether magistrates have or have not exceeded their legal powers.

MR. O'HANLON

asked whose business it was then?

[No reply,]