HC Deb 03 August 1888 vol 329 cc1404-6
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What have been the dates and occasions, since the accession to Office of the present Government, when Coroners' Juries in Ireland have returned verdicts reflecting on the conduct of any officials, either by name or in general terms; and, whether any action has been taken by the Government in consequence of such verdicts; and, if so, what it has been?

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

So far as I am aware, there have been three cases in which Coroners' Juries have returned verdicts reflecting on the conduct of officials since the present Government came into Office. The first was on the occasion of the death of Thomas Hanlon, at Youghal, March 8, 1887; the second was on the occasion of the Mitchelstown riots on September 9, 1887; the third was on the occasion of the death of Mr. Mandeville. These three verdicts were all given by juries presided over by the same Coroner. The half-dozen or so similar cases which occurred during the Administration of the right hon. Member for Mid Lothian (Mr. W. E. Gladstone) appear to have been more evenly distributed over the country. Neither my Predecessor nor myself have, so far as I am aware, ever taken any action in consequence of such verdicts, except to get them quashed in certain cases by the Court of Queen's Bench.

MR. J. E. ELLIS

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had not omitted the case of Larkin?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, that he had answered from memory, but after consultation with the Irish officials in London.

MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)

asked, whether the Government would take any steps to quash the verdict returned by the jury who had inquired into the death of Mr. Mandeville?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The Queen's Bench would not quash a verdict on the ground that there was insufficient evidence to support it, but only on the ground that there was some irregularity or misconduct in the proceedings. There was nothing in these proceedings to justify an application to the Court.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

When will the shorthand notes of the inquest be laid on the Table?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Very shortly; but they will take some time to print, and I am afraid that copies will not be available until after the Recess has arrived.

DR. KENNY (Cork, S.)

Will the Government compensate Larkin's relatives?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The case of Larkin does not arise out of the Question; but I may say that the Government do not intend to take any action in the matter.

MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman also lay upon the Table of the House the evidence taken in the case of Dr. Ridley?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes, Sir. I take it that it would be the most convenient course to lay the shorthand notes of both inquests on the Table at the same time.