§ MR. BLANEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether part of the evidence against the Rev. Daniel Stephens, of Falcarragh, county Donegal, who was recently sentenced for conspiracy against payment of rents to six months' imprisonment in Londonderry Gaol, was statements made on oath as witness before two Resident Magistrates sitting under the provisions of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, which statements were used against him in his own trial; and, if so, can he state if such be English Court practice except in case of perjury; if the second part of the case consisted of evidence of a letter found in a drawer at the house of the Rev. James M'Fadden, P.P. Gweedore, said to be in handwriting of defendant; whether any proof of publicity amongst the tenants of the Olphert estate were given at trial; and, if he can state the grounds of decision relied on by Resident Magistrates?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am informed that the defendant has appealed. I am, therefore, precluded at the present time from making any statement in regard to the evidence produced or with respect to the grounds of the decision come to.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman state as a matter of fact whether a portion of the evidence produced against Mr. Stephens was evidence he had given himself in the case of another defendant?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI would rather not answer Questions on this matter, as an appeal is pending.