§ MR. MOLLOYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 51 If it be a fact that there is not a single Catholic magistrate for the district of Edenderry; whether there are not many Catholic gentlemen of large landed property in the neighbourhood well qualified to share in the administration of justice in this Catholic district; whether, amongst many others, there is not Mr. Robinson, residing in the district, with about one housand acres in fee; whether, upon his application, an official answer was sent from Dublin Castle in the name of the Lord Lieutenant containing a refusal in these words:—"Without considering your qualification, I see no necessity for the appointment;" whether he can state why only Orange magistrates preside in this Catholic district; and, why the Commission of the Peace is refused to Catholic gentlemen of large independent property?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI informed the hon. Member on the 10th instant what the facts are as to the constitution of the magistracy of the Edenderry district; and I stated that the Lord Chancellor and the Lieutenant of the county, whilst most anxious to redress any existing inequality, have not had before them the name of any Roman Catholic gentleman whom they considered qualified. I cannot enter into discussion of the merits of any particular case. I think there must be some misapprehension as to such a letter as the hon. Member quotes from having been sent to Mr. Robinson from Dublin Castle. I have not been able to trace any such letter; but if the hon. Member will mention the date I will have further inquiry made.