§ MR. HARRINGTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Cole, the informer, examined in the recent Barbavilla conspiracy case, has been pardoned; has the Government in this case departed from the usual practice of requiring an informer to leave the Country; have the Executive received a Memorial from the Catholic clergymen of the district in which Cole resided, stating their opinion that it would be dangerous to the public peace that he should come to reside in that locality; whether it is the fact that he has come to reside there; and, will he state whether the district or the county is to be charged for the extra police kept for his protection?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, that it was hardly correct to state that Cole had been pardoned, because he was not convicted, and it was not usual to give pardon to unconvicted prisoners. It was not intended to proceed against him. It was a fact that he had returned to Westmeath. He was anxious to go back as he had a valuable property there, which it was not possible to dispose of at present; and as he had a large family dependent on him, it was felt that it would be unjust to compel him to leave the country. A Memorial had been received as stated; but it was not considered that his presence would be dangerous to the peace of the locality. The police, who were protecting him, were not charged on the district. They were part of the county force.