§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen a report of the observations of Mr. Darley, the County Court Judge, in delivering judgment, at the recent quarter sessions held in Wicklow, in the case of Michael Storey, in which he said—
It was a very serious matter to send this man to gaol without the option of a fine, to send him to gaol for six months (with hard lahour), because he put his hand against a policeman, saying, 'I won't allow you to cross my land,' was monstrous, and the moment the policeman remonstrated, and said he would arrest him, it was admitted, he allowed the policeman to pass;whether the decision of the magistrates was reversed, and a fine of £5 imposed on Mr. Storey; and, whether, under the circumstances, he will advise the Lord Chancellor to take any notice of the conduct of Messrs. Truell, Acton, and Barton, the magistrates who presided on the occasion, and at the same time take steps to have the fine remitted, or reduced to such an amount as would be sufficient penalty for the offence of a "constructive assault?"
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY)I believe the observations of the County Court Judge are correctly quoted. The question of the action of the magistrates in the case is one for the Lord Chancellor; and I shall forward the Papers to him with a view to his dealing with it. With regard to the remission or reduction of the fine, it is right to observe that that penalty was imposed by the Court which reviewed and reversed the decision of the magistrates. However, if a Memorial on the subject is presented to the Lord Lieutenant it will be duly considered.