HC Deb 24 March 1882 vol 267 cc1813-4
MR. SEXTON

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it is true that, a few days since, at Bruff, in the county Limerick, a boy named Ahearne was sent by the Local Bench to gaol for a month (in default of finding bail for six months), the charge against him being that he had bought a copy of "United Ireland" in the shop of a local newsvendor; whether the magistrates acted legally in the infliction of such a sentence; and, whether he will release the boy?

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

Sir, Ahearne was summoned for obstructing a constable in the discharge of his duty. He was ordered by the Bench to enter into his own recognizances in £5, with two sureties in £2 10s. each, to be of good behaviour for one month, and, in default, to be committed for a like period. He refused to enter into recognizances, and was accordingly committed. Under these circumstances, I cannot recommend his release; he has only to enter into the recognizances to behave himself, and then he will be entitled to be discharged as of right.

MR. SEXTON

asked the right hon. and learned Gentleman to explain the nature of the obstruction. The only evidence against the boy, as he was informed, was that he had paid a penny for a copy of the United Ireland newspaper.

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

Sir, I am informed that is not so, nor anything like what occurred. A constable entered the shop for the purpose of obtaining a paper, and this person, who is over 17 years old, officiously interfered and snatched up the paper in a defiant manner, and contrary to law and authority. I have no hesitation in giving my opinion that the policeman was obstructed, and I think the Bench would have been wrong if on that evidence they did not bind him to be of good behaviour.

MR. SEXTON

Had the boy not paid for the paper, and did it not belong to him?

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

No, Sir, he had no interest in the paper, pecuniary or otherwise. As stated to me, his interference was purely officious, and in defiance of law and authority.