HC Deb 18 February 1842 vol 60 cc635-6
Mr. C. Buller

rose to ask a question of the noble Lord the Secretary for Ireland, which might appear ludicrous at first view, but was not so, as it was connected with the administration of justice. He had seen it stated in the newspapers that at a recent assize in Ireland a man had been sentenced to the punishment of death for killing, not a human being, but a goat. He wished to know whether in Ireland such a penalty existed for such an offence? He did not suppose for a moment that the Government would inflict such a punishment in such a case; but he wished to know what course would be taken, and what punishment this unhappy man would suffer?

Lord Eliot

believed, that the main fact was correct, as stated by his hon. and learned Friend; but the man was tried, not at the assizes, but at the sessions before an assistant barrister. On the case being proceeded with, it appeared, that an ancient statute, which had not been repealed, inflicted the punishment of death in such a case; there was, therefore, no remedy to the assistant barrister but to pass the sentence. On the case being communicated to the Government, they ordered the instant release of the man, as he had undergone several weeks' imprisonment. He regretted that such an act continued to disgrace the Statute-book, and he might add, that it was the intention of his learned Friend the Solicitor general for Ireland to bring in a bill to assimilate the criminal law of Ireland with that of this country.

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