MR. O'BRIENasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether, at the last Charleville Petty Sessions, the magistrates imposed fines of a guinea each upon two policemen named Gallagher and Lee for a series of wanton assaults upon James Boland; whether, after this decision was come to, the magistrates, on a threat from the policemen's solicitor, reopened the case and dismissed the summons; whether he will call on the magistrates for a statement of their conduct on this occasion; and, whether Mr. Attorney General will give Boland facilities to proceed by indictment against the policemen?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)It is not correct that fines of a guinea each were imposed upon the two policemen. The magistrates intimated their intention to impose fines of 10s. each, when the solicitor for the defence stated he thought some part of the evidence for the defence had been misunderstood, and also asked if a fine were imposed that it should be increased to a guinea in order to give a right of appeal. The magistrates recalled two of the witnesses for the defence, and after re-examination unanimously dismissed the case. There does not appear any ground for impugning the conduct of the magistrates or giving special facilities to Boland. If any application is made to the Attorney General he will consider it.