HC Deb 10 May 1887 vol 314 cc1465-6
DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If his attention has been directed to the conduct of Captain Stokes, R.M., on the Bench of Magistrates at Ballyvourney, at the last Monthly Sessions; whether, in the case of William Connell, junior, a process server and assistant of Mr. Hegarty, J.P., versus John Casey, the language made use of by Captain Stokes was as reported, "the old gentleman Casey appears to have been a fighting old rascal;" whether the evidence tendered by an Irish speaking witness in behalf of Casey was stated in and before the Court to have been improperly interpreted; whether Leghare, the interpreter, was a fellow bailiff of the complainants; whether Leghare was filled subsequently by the same Bench for assaulting an aged man by striking him violently with a whip; whether the Go- vernment will recommend that Casey's fine be remitted; whether Michael Connell, a brother of the process server, was in the employment of Mr. Hegarty; whether he was fined by Captain Stokes and Mr. Hegarty on the day in question for deliberately throwing stones at and severely injuring a horse, the property of the honorary secretary of the National League; and, what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)

, in reply, said, no rule was entered in this case. Captain Stokes, R.M., did not use the expression attributed to him. His answer to paragraphs five and eight was "yes;" but subject to the qualification that the assault was not an aggravated one. He had no information with regard to paragraph seven. The Government did not intend to take any steps in the matter.