HC Deb 01 May 1884 vol 287 cc1042-3
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, in the case of the eleven persons arrested at Tubbercurry, county Sligo, more than a month ago, upon a charge of conspiracy, the accused have been several times remanded after having, on each occasion, been brought before a magistrate in private, and although no evidence tending to criminate any of them was on any occasion produced on the part of the Crown; whether the accused have not been allowed to see their friends, professional or otherwise; whether the stipendiary magistrate who ordered the remands denies having made any order to debar the prisoners from receiving visits; and, if so, who is the person responsible for preventing communication between the prisoners, their advisers, and their friends; and, whether, with reference to the expiration, on Friday next, of the current remand in these cases, the agents of the Crown have been instructed to cause or assent to a public hearing of the charge, and to agree to the discharge of the prisoners from custody unless a case is put in evidence against them? He would further ask, in view of the undertaking given by the right hon. Gentleman on a former occasion, that the examination of these men to-day would be held in public, and that the Crown would use every effort to have that done, whether the following telegram despatched to him (Mr. Sexton) that afternoon, from Sligo Prison, accurately represented what had taken place:— Remanded again in gaol to-day without going into evidence. We believe they intend to rob us first, and then try to convict us

MR. TREVELYAN

It is true that the prisoners have been four times remanded without evidence being adduced against them; hut the remand in each case was upon affidavit, showing it to be necessary for the interests of justice. Their professional adviser and their immediate relatives have not been refused access to them, and the remanding magistrate denies he has given any instructions for such refusal, as none has taken place. I am informed that one further short remand until Monday next will be necessary, when evidence will be gone into against all the prisoners, and the investigation will be held in public.

MR. SEXTON

asked if they might take it as settled beyond any doubt that that course would be taken next Monday?

MR. TREVELYAN

That will certainly be done.