§ MR. M'CLUREasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he would state to the House under what circumstances a remission of the sentence passed by the Recorder of Belfast upon William James Gray for an assault on Dr. Dill was granted when he had been only three months confined?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, that a short time ago a memorial was received by the Lord Lieutenant, numerously signed from Befast, by respectable inhabitants of the town, praying for a remission of the sentence passed by the Recorder on William James Gray. The Lord Lieutenant, according to the usual practice, referred the memorial to the Recorder. The Recorder in his reply recapitulated the circumstances of the case, and said that though he remained of opinion that it was a grave and serious case of assult, yet he was of opinion that it had been committed under the influence of drink, and that it was not premeditated. He added that considering the previous 1626 character of the young man, and also the fact that he had been in prison for six weeks previous to his trial, he was of opinion that it would be expedient to remit the remainder of his sentence. The young man had been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, three of which had expired, and he therefore recommended that the remainder of the sentence should be remitted, which recommendation was acted upon. The prisoner was released on entering into substantial security for his good behaviour for 12 months.