HC Deb 21 July 1881 vol 263 cc1455-6
MR. TOTTENHAM

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether the Trinity Quarter Sessions for Lismore, in the county of Waterford, and Carrick on Shannon, in the county of Leitrim, were fixed for the same day, viz., Friday 1st July instant; whether the dates of Quarter Sessions are fixed by the County Court Judge; whether Mr. Waters, Q.C. is the County Court Judge of both these counties; whether it is possible that the same Judge should hold Courts in both places at the same day; whether it is a fact that the Sessions which were duly advertised to be opened at Carrick on Shannon at 10 a.m. on the 1st July were not opened till 1.30 p.m. on the following day; and, whether he will take steps to prevent in future the occurrence of similar inconvenience and expense alike to the county officials, bar, and general body of suitors.

MR. A. M. SULLIVAN

wished to ask, before this Question was answered, if it was possible for a County Court Judge to be in two places at the same time?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)

Sir, in answer to the first three Questions, the times for holding Quarter Sessions are fixed yearly in November, and last November the then Leitrim County Court Judge fixed his Carrick-on-Shannon Sessions for the 1st of July, and the Waterford County Court Judge fixed his Lismore Sessions for the same day. Subsequently the Leitrim Judge died, and the Waterford Judge was appointed in his place, and, for the reasons I mentioned on Monday last, was also appointed temporary Chairman of Waterford. In answer to the fourth Question, it is, of course, a fact that the same person cannot be in two different places at the same time. In answer to the fifth and sixth Questions, the Carrick-on-Shannon Sessions were adjourned, pursuant to statute, from 1 p.m. on July 1 to 10 a.m. on July 2, and then opened by the Judge. The next time the sessions of these counties are fixed, of course, care will be taken that they do not clash. In reply to the Question put by the hon. Member for Dungarvan (Mr. O'Donnell) last Monday, I have to add that it was to the sessions at Carrick-on-Shannon the County Court Judge proceeded from Lismore on July 1.