§ MR. T. D. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What is the cause of the delay in filling up the vacant coronership for the county of Westmeath, two coroners having always been appointed until 1794 the last seven or eight years, when one died, since which time the second appointnient has not been filled up?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, prior to 1874 there had been two coroners for the county of Westmeath. In that year one of them died, and the vacancy was not filled up. In 1878 the matter was brought under the attention of the late Government, and inquiries were made into the matter, which led to the presentation of a Memorial signed by five Justices pursuant to the Statute 9 & 10 Vict. c. 37, praying to have the county constituted one division for one coroner. In pursuance of that Memorial a special Sessions was held and a resolution was unanimously passed on October 31, 1878, that the two divisions of the county should form one district, and the existing coroner was elected to discharge, and has since discharged, the duties of the entire county. All this was done under the advice of the Law Officer of the late Government.