HC Deb 11 February 1887 vol 310 cc1229-30
MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether, in trials for misdemeanour in Ireland, the prisoner is entitled to challenge without cause, or object to without showing any cause, any greater number of jurors than six?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON) (Liverpool, Walton)

The right of challenge in misdemeanour cases in Ireland is, as the hon. Member probably knows, regulated by statute. By the 10th section of the Juries Procedure Act, 1876, a person tried for misdemeanour has six peremptory challenges without cause assigned. This right was given for the first time in 1876, but does not interfere with or curtail the Common Law right of challenge for cause shown.

MR. CHANCE

I wish to ask the hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is the practice in Ireland to permit a prisoner on trial for misdemeanour to object to any juror without showing cause on the first calling of the panel?

[No reply.]