Mr. Jephsonrose, pursuant to the notice he had given, to move for several Returns connected with the postponement from the last summer assizes at Cork, of the trials of Leary and others, charged with a conspiracy to murder. The hon. Member prefaced his Motion by saying those trials had been unwarrantably postponed by Chief Baron O'Grady. He fixed a day for the termination of the assizes, and beyond that he would not wait, though he was earnestly implored to wait, and though, by not waiting, he consigned the men to prison for several months. The hon. Member concluded by moving "That there be laid before the House a copy of the entry made by the clerk of the Crown, as to the cause of the postponement of the trials at the last summer assize at Cork, of the trials of Leary and others, accused of Conspiracy to Murder; also a copy of the Memorial of the Grand Jury of Cork to the Lord Lieutenant, for a special commission to try the prisoners, and the answer thereto; 1244 also copies of any correspondence of the Crown Solicitor on the subject of the trials; a copy of any notes made by the learned Judge who postponed the trials; and also an account of the whole expense of the Special Commission, held in Cork in October last, and how the money was appropriated."
§ Colonel O'Grady, in seconding the Motion, said, that he knew nothing of the circumstances, but being nearly connected with the Judge who presided, he could state that as far as he (the learned Judge) was concerned, he would have no objection to give every information in his power.
Mr. Kingsupported the Motion, and said, he was sure that all the circumstances would be satisfactorily explained.
§ Lord Leveson Gowersaid, he had no objection to the Motion, except to that part which related to the Judge's notes, to call for which in such a case was, in his opinion, unparliamentary.
§ Sir C. Wetherellobjected to the production of the Judge's notes, and also to the confidential correspondence of the Crown Solicitor on the subject of the trials.
§ Mr. Dohertysuggested to the hon. Member (Mr. Jephson) to withdraw those parts of his Motion, to which, after a few words, he consented, and the Motion thus reduced was agreed to.