§ MR. J. N. RICHARDSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following paragraph in the "Irish Times," of Friday, May 4th:—
Tilly Fay, a young woman, of 9t, Mecklenburgh Street, was charged with selling porter without licence. There were two summonses in this case, one being for the 5th and the other for the 15th instant. The evidence in both cases was to the effect that both full and empty porter bottles, glasses half filled with porter, and men sitting drinking, were found on the premises. In the yard was a basketful of empty bottles. The prisoner lived with her sister;Mr. Keys. I suppose these people are very poor;130531 C. Yes, sir, poor enough. The father is out of employment;Mr. Keys. What excuse did they give;31 C. No other means of livelihood, your worship;Mr. Keys. I suppose these wretched people are really very poor. I shall impose a small fine, only 10s. I suppose they will make it up in a week in the old way;and, whether the report is accurate; and, if so, whether the Government intend to take any notice of the conduct of Mr. Keys in admitting the pecuniary condition of the defendant as an excuse for a breach of the Law?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am informed, Sir, that the report in question is substantially accurate, except in so far as it conveys that only one fine of 10s. was imposed. A similar fine was imposed for each offence. The defendant was a person in extreme poverty, and the magistrate appears to have taken this into account in measuring the money penalty to be imposed. I do not think this can be fairly described as "admitting poverty as an excuse for a breach of the Law."