§ MR. BYRNE (Wicklow, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention, has been called to the proceedings of the Criminal Quarter Sessions for the Baltinglass Division of the county of Wicklow, before Judge Darley, on the 15th of January last, when Myles Doyle and Michael Nolan were charged with having, on the 11th December 1886, thrown timber upon the railway, near Balting- 878 lass, with the intent thereby to upset the train, and upon a second count with having thrown timber upon said line endangering the safety of persons travelling thereon; whether the prisoners pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to one month's imprisonment each with hard labour; and whether, in view of the serious character of the offence, he will call the attention of the Lord Chancellor to the matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)It appears, on the face of the Question, that the Judge, in disposing of this case, exercised the discretion with which his office invested him. A Judge is responsible to Parliament alone, and neither the Lord Chancellor nor the Executive has any right to interfere.