§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, How many arrests have taken place since the passing of the Crimes Act for murder, conspiracy to murder, and treason felony, how long each person was imprisoned before being committed for trial; how many adjournments took place during the preliminary hearings; and, how long each prisoner committed was confined between the committal and the Assizes; whether, in any cases, Assizes passed by, without such prisoners being tried, if this was on the ground that the Crown were not ready, can he explain the reason; how many prisoners are now awaiting for next Winter Assizes where the Crown opposed bail, and how long they will be confined before trial can be had; and, whether the Lord Lieutenant could do anything to expedite the trials of these prisoners?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER), in reply, said, there had been several cases of murder, and conspiracy to murder, which had been postponed. There might have been some cases of treason-felony; but they must have been few. In some cases the postponement had been caused by the absence of material witnesses, and in others by the fact that additional evidence had been procured, particularly in eases which had recently been before the Assizes. He was most anxious to accelerate the trial of all cases where it could be done consistently with justice. 777 The detailed information asked for by the hon. Member would take three weeks to procure, and could not be given in answer to a Question.
§ MR. HEALYgave Notice that he would move for this information as a Return. He presumed that the right hon. and learned Gentleman, in the interests of law and order, would have no objection to give it, for the action of the Habeas Corpus Act was practically annulled in Ireland owing to the course pursued by the Executive.