HC Deb 17 February 1881 vol 258 cc1088-9
MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that the resident magistrate at the potty sessions of Drumlish, county Longford, in sending for trial a largo number of persons charged with riot, has just announced that he will not accept as bail anyone who belongs to the Land League, thereby rendering it impossible that many of those awaiting trial can obtain bail, inasmuch as nearly all the farmers of the locality are members of the Land Lengue; and, whether he is prepared to sanction the decision of the resident magistrate?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I have received no official information on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and I do not know that I am likely to receive any. I have, however, seen an account of it in the papers. The hon. Member also asks me whether I am prepared to sanction the decision of the resident magistrate. I am not prepared either to give it or to refuse it my sanction. It is not the duty of the Government to terfere with the decisions of Judges, whether of the superior or the inferior Courts.