§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Sergeant Eakins brought be- 466 fore the magistrates privately, at last Petty Sessions held on the 30th March last at Markethill, a placard, posted some time since in that town, reflecting on the conduct of a local publican; whether he proposed to swear it was the handwriting of a respectable young man; whether the magistrates told him that it was not this party's writing, and refused to take his oath; whether he had the authority of his superior officer for doing so; whether this is the same officer who arrested a Catholic priest and a magistrate at Mohill some years ago; and, whether, after him swearing both were drunk, the magistrates there dismissed both cases; and what action he proposes now to take?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSergeant Eakins brought before the magistrates a placard reflecting on the conduct of a local policeman—not a publican. He did not propose to swear it was in the handwriting of a respectable young man. The magistrates gave no opinion or directions in the case. The sergeant bad the authority of his superior officer for the course he pursued. He was never stationed in Mohill, and never arrested either a Catholic priest or a magistrate.