HC Deb 01 December 1888 vol 331 cc812-4
THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

said, he must ask the indulgence of the House to call attention to a matter of Privilege. On Monday last, it would be remembered, the House was pleased to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the circumstances of the attempted service of a summons by an Irish constable upon his hon. Friend the Member for South Galway (Mr. Sheehy) in the Outer Lobby of the House. His hon. Friend had just received from Ireland, by post, in a registered envelope, two notices referring to the pending prosecutions, in one of which he was informed that when the cases came on for hearing on Monday next, at 11 o'clock, an application would be made to the Presiding Magistrates, on the part of the Prosecution, for an adjournment to such time as might be necessary to enable Mr. John Finucane, M.P., and Mr. David Sheehy, M.P., to attend in the House of Commons during the debate on the Irish Estimates, provided that an undertaking would be given by those two Gentlemen to attend the Court upon the day finally fixed for the hearing of the case. This letter was sent by the Sessional Crown Solicitor, a Mr. Maurice Leahy, of Newcastle-West, County Limerick. It would be apparent to the House that this Mr. Leahy—whoever he might be—had, with the most extraordinary and incredible insolence, ignored the course of action taken on the initiative of the Leader of the House, and ratified by the House itself, since he had treated the attempted service of the summons in the Outer Lobby as if it were an actual and legal service, effectual and valid to all intents and purposes. That gentleman presumed to determine the charactor of the transaction, which could not be determined except by the Committee appointed by the House for the purpose. As the notices prejudiced the liberty of his hon. Friend, and as his hon. Friend was not in a position to deal with them while the question of Privilege was being entertained, he begged to move that the notices be re- ferred to the Select Committee appointed to deal with the matter.

Letters handed in—

The QUEEN, at the prosecution of District Inspector LOWNDES, R.I.C.,

Complainant.

Defendants.

Gentlemen,

I beg to inform you that when this case comes on for hearing at Ballyneety Petty Sessions, on Thursday, the 6th December prox., an application will be made to the presiding Magistrates, on the part of the Prosecution, for an adjournment to such time as may be necessary to enable Messrs. John Finucane, M.P., and David Sheehy, M.P., two of the above-named Defendants, to attend the House of Commons until the Irish Estimates are disposed of, provided that an undertaking be given by those two Defendants to attend on the day finally fixed for the hearing of said Case.

It is to be particularly observed that this undertaking of Messrs. Finucane, M.P., and Sheehy, M.P., referred to, will be required, and should be forwarded, so as to reach my office here, previous to Monday 3rd December prox.

Dated this 28th day of November, 1888.

MAURICE P. LEAHY,

Sessional Crown Solicitor,

Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

To

John Finucane, Esq., M.P., Caherelly, Co. Limerick.

David Sheehy, Esq., M.P., 126, Holly Bank, Drumcondra.

James Hishon Moran, Esq., Solicitor, Limerick.

Thomas Stuart, Limerick.

William Loudon, Kilteely, Co. Limerick.

The QUEEN, at the prosecution of District Inspector JENNINGS, R.I.C.,

Complainant.

Defendants.

Gentlemen,

I beg to inform you that when this case comes on for hearning at Castleconnell Petty Sessions, on Monday the 3rd December prox., an application will be made to the presiding Magistrates, on the part of the Prosecution for an adjournment to such time as may be necessary to enable Messrs. John Finucane, M.P., and David Sheehy, M.P., two of the above-named Defendants, to attend the House of Commons until the Irish Estimates are disposed of, provided that an undertaking be given by those two Defendants to attend on the day finally fixed for the hearing of said Case.

It is to be particularly observed that this undertaking of Messrs. Finucane, M.P., and Sheehy, M.P., referred to, will be required, and should be forwarded so as to reach my office here, previous to Monday 3rd December prox.

Dated this 28th day of November, 1888.

MAURICE P. LEAHY,

Sessional Crown Solicitor,

Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.

To

John Finucane, Esq., M.P., Caherelly, Co. Limerick.

David Sheehy, Esq., M.P., 126, Holly Bank, Drumcondra.

John MacInerney, Esq., P.L.G., Meelick, Co. Clare.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I think the right hon. Gentleman meant to refer the notices to the Committee which is now sitting.

MR. SEXTON

Yes.

MR. W. H. SMITH

Then, Sir, there is no objection whatever on the part of the Government to their being so referred.

Ordered, That the said Letters be referred to the Select Committee on Privilege (Service of a Summons in the Outer Lobby on Mr. Sheehy, M.P.).