HC Deb 28 February 1890 vol 341 cc1500-1
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a ca e heard at Woodford Petty Sessions on the 24th inst. before Messrs. Hickson, R.N., and Burke, J.P., in which an emergency man named M'Keever was summoned by Constable Sheehan on a charge of being "drunk in the streets of Woodford on the 14th inst., and having a loaded revolver in his possession;" if it is true that a few hours after his arrest he was brought before Mr. Burke, J.P., by whom he was discharged, and who added that no further action should be taken; has his attention been called to the report of the trial, from which it appears that it was proved by Constable Sheehan that M'Keever, on being arrested, threatened to shoot him; that Mr. Burke, notwithstanding the protest of the presiding magistrate, persisted is cross-examining the policeman, and finally called him a "blackguard;" and that after M'Keever had been fined £2 and costs, and had paid that sum, Mr. Burke stood up in Court, advised M'Keever to appeal, and ordered the money to be handed back; and if the above facts are correctly stated, whether the Lord Chancellor will make inquiry into the action of this magistrate?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have not been able to obtain a Report upon this matter, and I must ask the hon. Member to repeat the question.