HC Deb 09 March 1885 vol 295 cc424-6
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why there are no magistrates appointed in the town of Beragh, county Tyrone; is Rev. Archdeacon Dixon, the magistrate residing near Beragh, an invalid, and therefore unable to attend to the duties; is it true that there is no magistrate living nearer to Beragh than a mile and a-half, and he has a situation in Omagh, and is therefore absent from the place; is it a fact that the names of two Catholics (one from Beragh and the other from Sixmilecross) and a Protestant were sent forward by a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant of the county for his consideration, and that the Protestant was appointed and the Catholics rejected; is it true that of the six magistrates who attend the local Petty Sessions only one is a Roman Catholic, who is the resident magistrate, living in Omagh, and only appears occasionally; and, why is the Petty Sessions not held in Beragh, the principal town of the district?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Lord Chancellor has reason to believe that the Lieutenant of Tyrone, the Earl of Charlemont, has found it very difficult to get a magistrate in Beragh; but in September last a magistrate was appointed in the neighbourhood, who is available there, and no inconvenience has been reported to the Lord Chancellor, although the Rev. Archdeacon is invalided, and at present unable to attend Petty Sessions. Lord Charlemont is on the Continent, and no information can be had as to any memorial sent to him; but the Lord Chancellor states that, from what he knows of Lord Charlemont's action as Lieutenant of Tyrone, no consideration founded on religion would actuate him in rejecting any man. The magistrates attending Sixmilecross Petty Sessions are composed of Protestants and Presbyterians. The Resident Magistrate, who is a Roman Catholic, is a most regular attendant. The question of fixing the place of holding Petty Sessions is one for the magistrates of Quarter Sessions. The Lord Lieutenant has power to set them in motion, and without doubt would do so in the present instance if sufficient cause were shown for his interference.

MR. HEALY

Would the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to ask the police as to the convenience of the matter to the prisoners and to themselves.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not know what is the usual form; but I will look and see.