HC Deb 15 February 1887 vol 310 cc1549-50
MR. GILHOOLY (Cork, W.)

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether two young men named Thomas Scully and Robert Kelly have been returned for trial at Bantry on a charge of threatening to shoot a gamekeeper to the Earl of Kenmare, named Keohane; if the alleged offence had been committed six weeks previous to the depositions of Keohane having been taken; whether Keohane, who is the principal witness for the Crown, is a man of bad repute, having been imprisoned for 18 months on a charge of homicide, and six months for sheep stealing; and, whether, considering the character of Keohane, these young men will be admitted to bail?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)

It is the fact that Thomas Scully and Robert Kelly have been returned for trial on a charge of threaten- ing to shoot a man called Keohane; and, this being so, I must decline, pending the trial, to give any opinion as to the character of the witnesses, or otherwise to discuss the case.