MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, On what principle of selection Mr. Justice O'Brien has been appointed to preside at the forthcoming trials for murder and conspiracy in Dublin, he having been the judge who presided also at the second Court Commission in Green Street?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Government has nothing whatever to do with the selection of the Judges who preside at the Commission Court. They sit according to a rotation fixed by themselves. I am informed that Mr. Justice O'Brien presided at the second or last Commission, on behalf and at the request of another Judge, who was prevented by illness from sitting. I am not quite certain whether it is an answer to the hon. Gentleman; but the important point is, that the rotation is fixed by the Judges, and that the Government have no responsibility.
MR. O'BRIENHas the right hon. Gentleman any objection to inform the 1822 House, whether the Judge who was ill is Baron Dowse; why Baron Dowse, if recovered, did not take his turn; and, whether Baron Dowse was not sufficiently recovered to preside at the last Wexford Assizes?
§ MR. TREVELYANThat is a matter which the Judges must determine among themselves. Baron Dowse was the Judge whose place was taken by Mr. Justice O'Brien.