HC Deb 16 February 1882 vol 266 c785
MR. METGE

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If it is the case that a man named Anthony Hill has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Ennis for cheering for Mr. Parnell; and, if so, under what statute it can be shown to be a criminal act to cheer for a Member of Parliament? The hon. Member added that, since putting the Question on the Paper, he had received three letters on the subject—one from the parish priest, another from the prisoner's sister, and the third from his mother, from which it appeared that the actual term of imprisonment was six months, instead of three, and that the prisoner was only a boy of 16 or 17, whose mother was dependent upon him for support.

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

said, that the information he had received upon the matter was as follows:— Anthony Hill was charged with inciting to riot, and was bound over to keep the peace for six months. He has found bail, and has left for America. Inciting to riot is a criminal offence.

MR. METGE

It is a curious fact that his mother does not know that he is out of prison.