§ MR. HARRINGTONasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether it is a fact that the Crown sent up a bill to the Grand Jury of the county of West- 919 meath, at the present Assizes, against Colonel Digby; and, whether the Grand Jury threw out this bill; and, if so, whether the Crown will now proceed against Colonel Digby by information in the Court of Queen's Bench?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is the fact that the Crown sent up a bill to the Grand Jury of the county of Westmeath against Colonel Digby, and it was thrown out. A proceeding by an ex officio information would be inapplicable to such a case as referred to in the Question and without precedent.
§ MR. HARRINGTONasked whether the circumstances of the case were not without precedent; whether it was not the fact that two local magistrates refused to receive information against Colonel Digby, who was a member of that local Bench; and, whether, in view of these novel circumstances, the Attorney General would take proceedings?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)The ordinary proceedings have been adopted, and there is no ground for an exceptional course.
§ MR. HARRINGTONAre we to understand that, if the local magistrates refuse informations for theft the law is completely paralyzed?
§ MR. SEXTONWhat is the Attorney General for?
§ MR. HARRINGTONThis failure of justice has arisen with regard to one case. I would ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether there is not evidence that in a second case Colonel Digby attempted to cheat the Land Commission; whether there is not a third case in which he actually did succeed in cheating them, and did receive the money; and, whether the hon. and learned Gentleman will not now proceed in regard to these cases?