§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, in the Question he was about to put he did not mean to pronounce any opinion as to the facts. He wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to a statement made by Mr. Justice Monahan at the County Down Assizes on Friday, 10th March, that, of certain persons engaged in a party riot on the 10th February, only the Catholics had been prosecuted, and the Protestants allowed to go free; and whether the Government will take measures to insure in future that all persons transgressing the Law in Ireland, of whatever religious denomination or party, shall be rendered equally amenable to the impartial administration of justice?
§ SIR ROBERT PEEL, in reply, said, he had seen the remarks which had appeared in the newspapers referring to this case, but Chief Justice Monahan had not yet submitted any Report to the Government on the subject. The hon. Gentleman had anticipated the Question which was to be put to-morrow by the hon. and gallant Member for Longford, and he hoped on that occasion to be able to give information which he was unable to do at present. But from inquiries which had been made of the High Sheriff he had been informed that there was no partial administration of justice at all. At the petty sessions the magistrates who attended were two Roman Catholics, two Protestants, and two Presbyterians, and they unanimously decided that the Roman Catholics should be sent to trial, and that there was no case against the Protestants. He did not think, therefore, that Chief Justice Monahan was justified in saying that there had been in that case a partial administration of justice.
§ MR. HENNESSYsaid, he had the other evening called the right hon. Baronet's attention to the case of a man who for begging had been sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. He should like to 1741 know whether the Government had made any inquiries upon the subject?
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, he had made inquiries, and if the hon. Member would ask the Question to-morrow night he would be able to give full information.