§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is the fact that Mr. Bodkin, R.M., adjourned a case at Tramore, county Waterford, under the 7th section of the Crimes Act, at 11.30 A.M. on 17th March, when defendant was summoned to appear at 12 noon, although the statute prescribes that no single resident magistrate can act in a case under section 7; was this postponement legal; did Sub-Inspector Milling serve notice on the defendant not to appear in answer to the summons on that day; do the Government intend to take notice of this; and. are police in Ireland empowered to act in this manner?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER), in reply, said, that the Irish Government was advised that an adjournment could be made by one Resident Magistrate; but the question in this case did not arise, as a fresh summons was issued for the second day. Sub-Inspector Milling did serve notice on defendant that he might not appear on a particular day, and the defendant accordingly did not appear. The arrangement was for the convenience of the defendant, and no notice would be taken by the Government of the matter.
§ MR. HEALYHas the police power to act in derogation of the action of the magistrates—when a magistrate issues a summons to appear on a certain day, can the police tell him not to appear?
§ [No reply.]