HC Deb 18 May 1882 vol 269 cc954-5
MR. CALLAN

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he will direct that Copies be laid upon the Table of the House of the informations sworn by an informer named Rice, in the case of Mr. Philip Branigan, of Dunleer, and four others, on an alleged conspiracy to murder Sub-Inspector O'Callaghan, and of all other informations sworn or depositions taken before the magistrates presiding in public at Petty Sessions at Dunleer, on Tuesday 2nd May?

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

Sir, these informations have been submitted to me, and are at present under my consideration. Under these circumstances, I cannot direct copies to be laid on the Table.

MR. CALLAN

said, that in consequence of the answers he had received to these two Questions, which he had placed upon the Paper in view of to-night's discussion, he would conclude with a Motion for Adjournment. On the 26th of February last, five young men were arrested at midnight, and after they had been detained until March the 7th, bail having been refused, Captain Coote, the special Resident Magistrate, dismissed the charges, saying there was no evidence to support them. Notwithstanding this and the professions of the Attorney General for Ireland in the House, no prosecution for perjury had been directed. On a subsequent occasion, 25 persons were arrested on sworn informations which implicated 28 persons, accusing them of conspiracy to murder. It was alleged that they had subscribed £100 to secure the murder of a certain person. On the 2nd of May this charge was formally investigated in Court, and the magistrates dismissed it, remarking that there was not a scintilla of evidence to support it. Would the Attorney General for Ireland lay upon the Table of the House such information upon this matter as would enable the House to judge of the conduct of the Irish Executive with regard to it? He hoped that this information would be afforded to the House, or that they should have some statement that a prosecution for perjury would be instituted, so that it would not be necessary for him to press his Motion for the adjournment of the House.

MR. BIGGAR

seconded the Motion.

Motion made, and Question, "That this House do now adjourn,"—(Mr. Callan,)—put, and negatived.