§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What are the circumstances under which Mrs. Kelly, of Athenry, mother of Mr. Patrick C. Kelly, a suspect at present confined in Galway Gaol, was fined two pounds, with marking of her licence; whether the offence charged was of too trivial a character to merit so extreme a step; whether Mrs. Kelly has received notice that the police are to be removed from the barracks of which she is landlady: and, whether, in view of the loss Mrs. Kelly has already undergone, he will order the mitigation of so severe a sentence for a slight offence against the Licensing Laws?
§ MR. TREVELYANI learn from the local constabulary that Mrs. Kelly's public-house has been kept in a very irregular manner. In April, 1879, she was summoned for a breach of the Licensing Laws; but, as she pleaded ignorance, the Bench, acting leniently, dismissed the case against her, although at the same time fining three persons found on her premises during prohibited hours. She was again summoned in October of the same year, and fined £1, and again in October, 1880; but the case 66 was then dismissed. In February last she was summoned for having her licensed premises open during closing hours; the case was proved, and she was fined £1. She was also summoned for sale of intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours, and was fined £1 and her licence was marked. I am informed that this was a light sentence, and that the penalty in these cases for a first offence might have been £10. With regard to the removal of the police from the barrack, of which she is owner, the facts are these. Owing to the disturbed state of the Athenry district, it has been found necessary to increase the police force. The old barrack is no longer large enough to contain the men. A new house, much larger and in every way better suited for a barrack, has been obtained, and the usual three months' notice of surrender has been served on Mrs. Kelly. If she wishes to memorialize the Lord Lieutenant he will, I have no doubt, consider whether there is anything in her case calling for a mitigation of the penalty inflicted on her in petty sessions.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the persons found on her premises were there only for a few minutes.
§ [No answer was given.]