§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If his attention has been called to the statement made at a meeting of the Land League in Dublin, by the Member for Tipperary, to the effect that one hundred persons have been, within a recent period, committed to prison by a single magistrate without bail on bailable offences; and, whether he is able to confirm the accuracy of this statement; and, if so, whether he will take any means for procuring the removal of that magistrate from the bench?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOE IRELAND (Mr. LAW)I have seen in the newspapers a report of the speech of the hon. Member for Tipperary (Mr. Dillon) referred to in this Question; but I must say I cannot confirm the accuracy of the statement made on the occasion if it be taken to refer, as I presume it does, to what occurred at the Drumlish petty sessions before Mr. Lloyd, the resident magistrate. Over 100 persons had been summoned on a charge of "riot." Of these, some were at once discharged, upwards of 70 were required to give bail for their good behaviour, and have, I believe, done so; 12 were returned for trial at the ensuing Assizes, but not "without bail," as stated. On the contrary, it was announced that bail would be accepted, and seven of them have since been released on giving bail to appear for trial at the Assizes. Three appeared to be sick, and are at home, not, of course, in custody, while two, I believe, remain in custody only because they have been hitherto unable to find bail.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORremarked that the right hon. and learned Gentleman had not referred at all to what he meant by the Question.