HC Deb 02 May 1887 vol 314 c545
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the case of Robert Comerford of Belfast, Whether the Lord Lieutenant recently received a Memorial praying for the release of Comerford; and, whether he will state what answer has been given to the Memorialists?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied) said: Yes, Sir; and the Lords Justices decided that the law must take its course.

MR. M'CARTAN

asked whether the matter would not be re-considered, in view of the fact that Comerford got in Ireland 29 months' imprisonment with hard labour for the commission of an offence the punishment for which in England could not exceed six months, and in view of the fact that he had now been over three months in gaol?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

considered it was quite sufficient that this Question had been referred to the Lords Justices, who were a more competent authority on legal matters than he was.