§ CAPTAIN M'CALMONT (Antrim, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that Mr. Robert Teskey, of Curraheen, county Limerick, has received a letter threatening the life of his wife, who gave evidence at the recent assizes 1358 against the men charged with making an attack on his house, upon which occasion Mr. Teskey was severely injured; whether, at the trial in question, the jury acquitted the prisoner, notwithstanding his identification by Mr. and Mrs. Teskey, and the strongest circumstantial evidence against him; whether the Judge who presided at the trial has been asked to make any report thereon to the Government; and, if the trial of the other prisoners has been postponed; and, if so, for what reason?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)Mr. Teskey received on the 12th instant a letter threatening his own life and warning him to leave his home. At the trial on the 6th instant Mr. and Mrs. Teskey identified the prisoner, and there was also circumstantial evidence, as well as some suspicious circumstances, against him; but the jury, acting on evidence of an alibi submitted to them, found a verdict of acquittal. In consequence of that decision, the Crown counsel did not think it desirable to proceed with the cases against the other prisoners at the present Assizes, and they were accordingly admitted to bail to stand their trial at the next Assizes. The Judge has not been asked to make a Report on the case. It is not the practice to ask for such Reports in cases of the kind.