HC Deb 19 March 1885 vol 295 cc1684-5
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, With regard to the case against George Barker, to be heard to-morrow at Clif-foney (county Sligo) Petty Sessions, whether the Government are aware that Barker is gamekeeper to a local landlord, and that he is in the habit of shooting and fishing in company with the local stipendiary magistrate; and, whether, with a view to an impartial trial, a stipendiary magistrate from another district will be sent to hear the case, and the local landlords in the Commission of the Peace will be requested not to adjudicate upon it?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I understand that Mr. Maloney, the Resident Magistrate, occasionally shoots with the gentleman in whose employment Barker is; but he informs me that he has never shot or fished with Barker alone. Mr. Maloney's duties require his presence at another Petty Sessions to-morrow, and Mr. Turner, R.M., will take his place at Grange Petty Sessions.

The Government have no power to order the local magistrates not to attend.