§ MR. BIGGARasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether Messrs. Devine and Poole, committed for trial on a charge of murder in Dublin, on Wednesday, had neither counsel nor attorney to defend them before the magistrate; and, whether they are without sufficient means adequately to fee counsel for their trial before the Commission next week; and, if so, will he engage that the reasonable fees of solicitor and counsel shall be paid?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, these two persons do not appear to have been professionally represented, although Mr. Byrne, a solicitor, appeared for the other accused persons. I do not know whether or not they are without sufficient means adequately to fee counsel for their trial; but, in any case, the Attorney General for Ireland is absolutely without any authority whatever to direct payment of any fee to a prisoner's counsel or solicitor in any case; and, therefore, it is not in my power to give any engagement in the matter, unless I engage to pay the fees out of my own pocket.