§ MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether he has made inquiries to ascertain whether it is the fact that Crown Solicitors in Ireland, when a jury has disagreed in any criminal case of a particular character, cause inquiries to be made to ascertain the names of the jurors in favour of an acquittal, and afterwards exclude such jurors from serving on criminal trials by ordering them to stand by; and, if not, whether he will do so?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)I have already stated, from my own knowledge of the business of my Department, that no such practice exists, and I have made no inquiries 1569 from individuals. If a written communication containing specific statements is made to me, I will give it the fullest consideration; but I shall not institute an inquiry involving an implied censure of certain public officials, upon the suggestion of an allegation of which I have never heard, and in support of which not a single fact is stated.
§ MR. HEALYIf the right hon. and learned Gentleman did not make any inquiry into the subject, will he inform me how it was that he was able to assure the House that no such practice existed?
§ MR. HOLMESI have stated that, from my own knowledge of the Department, no such practice exists. I have made no inquiry from individuals, nor shall I do so, unless a specific charge is brought against them.