§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Upon what grounds he stated in last Session that "a letter relating to murder" had been found in the house of Mr. Matthew Harris from Mr. John M'Carthy, Loughrea; whether this letter was the same as that which was subsequently published in the daily papers; whether he will read the letter to the House; whether he adheres to his description of it; whether it is the fact that after detaining Mr. M'Carthy many months in gaol without trial he was unconditionally released; if he can state the reasons for Mr. M'Carthy's release; if not, can he state the reason of Mr. M'Carthy's arrest; whether it is the fact that in the same case after detaining Mr. Dilleen nearly a year in prison, a nolle prosequi was subse- 1000 quently entered; whether the Government had previously indicted two other persons for the murder of Constable Linton, for which Messrs. M'Carthy and Dilleen were afterwards arrested; and, whether either of these parties will be put on their trial?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the hon. Member is not quite accurate in his quotation of my words. What I stated was that a document had been found which it was believed had an important bearing in connection with a murder case then pending. I had been so informed by the magistrate who had charge of the matter, and the letter referred to was, I believe, the one subsequently produced in Court. I have not been informed that anything subsequently occurred to alter that view. I do not think there would be any good object gained by reading the letter to the House. It has, as I have said, already been published. It is true that the charges against M'Carthy and Dilleen were eventually withdrawn after they had been some time in custody as stated. It is true that two other persons had been proceeded against on the same charge. They were acquitted, and cannot be tried again.