§ MR. HEALYasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it is the fact, that P. Sweeney, who was arrested for the murder of Lord Mountmorres, at Queenstown, when about to emigrate, has been discharged; how long he was kept in gaol; whether the Government intend to make him any compensation; and, how many arrests have been made amongst emigrants at Queenstown within the past twelve months, where the parties had afterwards to be discharged?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER), in reply, said, that Sweeney was arrested at Queenstown, and was detained from the 13th of June till the 7th of July, when he was sent to Sligo on a writ of habeas corpus to give evidence on a trial. He was returned on July 12, and liberated on July 14. At present he was believed to be in Sligo. Thirty-seven arrests had been made among the proposed emigrants, and of these persons 18 had been handed over to the police in different parts of the United Kingdom. Fourteen were English cases. There were 10 convictions, in five cases the prisoners were discharged, and in four cases the charge was withdrawn.
§ MR. HEALYasked the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether it was not the fact that this unfortunate man could not speak a word of English; and whether, considering that his arrest had deprived him of his passage from Queenstown, the Government would give him compensation for his three weeks' imprisonment?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER)I am not aware whether he speaks English or not. There is no fund out of which compensation can be made.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER)No, Sir; I have not.