§ SIR JOHN GRAYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, What specific charges of interference with matters outside his duty was alleged against the Reverend John Leonard, Roman Catholic officiating clergyman of the Royal Military School, Dublin, previous to the 1st March 1871, upon which day the Committee of Governors recommended, and the General Board of Governors decided, that the services of the reverend gentleman be dispensed with; whether the alleged case of interference was communicated to the reverend gentleman prior to the adoption of the said recommendation or since the date of its adoption; whether the Reverend Mr. Leonard has been afforded any opportunity of refuting the allegation made against him, and on which the recommendation was adopted; and, whether, if such opportunity was not afforded to him, the Government is prepared to give him an opportunity of having a full and impartial inquiry into the truth or falsehood of the complaint made against him?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, that the Rev. John Leonard, a Roman Catholic clergyman officiating at the Royal Military School, Dublin, had been dismissed in the terms of the Board of Governor's resolution for neglecting to furnish an explanation required of him, after forbearance which had been extended to him without good result, so that his further continuance in the office was inconsistent with the maintenance of discipline. Any further reply would canvass matters which would be brought before the House in a more regular manner when certain 1886 Returns were moved for. It was not the intention of the Government to make further inquiry. From the Papers before him he was satisfied that the rev. gentleman had interfered with matters outside his duty, and had been treated with lenity.