HC Deb 18 June 1883 vol 280 c795
MR. SHEIL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he can hold out any hope of mitigation in the punishment of John O'Brien, sentenced at Athboy on the 6th instant to imprisonment with hard labour?

MR. TREVELYAN

The case referred to appears to be one in which one labouring man was charged with having committed a serious assault on another, and, having been convicted, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment without the option of a fine. I cannot review the decision of the magistrate. It is open to the prisoner or his friends to memorialize the Lord Lieutenant to remit the sentence; but I am unable to say whether or not His Excellency would see any grounds for interference.