HC Deb 20 March 1884 vol 286 cc297-9
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in pursuance of the order made at Ballymote, on the 7th ult., by Mr. Moloney, R.M., in the shooting affray case, that James Murray, senior, should be committed to take his trial with the other persons accused, any steps have been yet taken towards trying him at the Galway Assizes, fixed to open on the 22nd instant, and if he will be tried accordingly; whether Joseph Murray has yet been proceeded against, as promised, for aiding and abetting in the riot, and if he will be tried at the same assizes; whether the Crown will summon to the Galway Assizes those persons who attended at Ballymote for several days to give evidence against the Murrays, and whose evidence was not taken there; whether two of the Crown witnesses against the Murrays were committed for trial on the unsupported evidence, in each case, of one of the Murrays, and why the magistrate in. one case refused to accept bail, though solvent and ample bail was tendered; whether the houses of the Murrays have been searched for arms since the occurrence of the affray; and, whether, of the thirty-seven persons holding excise licences for revolvers in the district, the three Catholics only have paid the excise licence, and whether the Department has yet begun proceedings against the rest?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, unavoidable delay has occurred in the case of James Murray owing to the serious character of the injury he received in the riot, his life having been in danger. He is summoned to appear before the magistrates this day. The Sessional Crown Solicitor is gone down to prosecute. His son, Joseph Murray, is also summoned to appear before the magistrates to-day. With regard to the persons to be summoned as witnesses to the Assizes, the Crown Counsel and Crown Solicitor who have charge of the case will do what they consider right in the interests of justice. The witnesses against the Murrays who were committed for trial were, in the opinion of the Resident Magistrate who dealt with the case, committed on full and complete evidence. The reason that bail was refused was that the life of the injured person was in danger. Immediately after the affray the workshop of the Murrays and all the persons therein were minutely searched for arms. It was considered that it would be useless to search their house. It is not for me to answer Questions with regard to the action of the Inland Revenue Department; but I may say that I am aware that proceedings are being taken in four cases, and inquiries being made in the others, with a view to ascertain whether they are proper cases for prosecution. I presume, however, those men hold magisterial licences.

MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary whether every case in which it appeared the Excise licence had not been paid was not a proper case for prosecution?

MR. TREVELYAN

said, the hon. Member had better put the Question to the Secretary to the Treasury.