HC Deb 17 February 1888 vol 322 cc709-10
MR. FLYNN(for Mr. J. O'CONNOR) (Tipperary, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen the following report in The Cork Daily Herald of the 13th instant, regarding the "committal" of Mr. James Gilhooly, M.P., by Mr. Gardiner, R.M.: — The informations having been signed, Mr. Gardiner said he would adjourn the hearing of the cases until the end of March: Mr. Gilhooly asked if he would be admitted to bail; he was particularly anxious to take part in the Debate on the Amendment of the Address: Mr. Gardiner—From the peculiar circumstances of this case we cannot allow you out on bail: Mr. Gilhooly said he was perfectly satisfied: Mr. Gardiner—I myself have twice attended at Petty Sessions to which you were summoned, and you failed to appear, creating great inconvenience to all concerned; and, whether it was with his knowledge and sanction that Mr. Gilhooly was kept in the close custody of nine armed policemen for the entire journey from Dublin to Cork for a space of six hours, and not permitted to leave the carriage for any necessary purpose whatever? The hon. Gentleman added that the Question had been somewhat abbreviated, and was not in the same form as when handed in. In the Question as it stood, Mr. Gilhooly was represented as saying that he was perfectly satisfied. It should be that, so far as he was personally concerned—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. FLYNN

That, so far as he was personally concerned, he was satisfied.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Gentleman will ask the Question on the Paper.

MR. FLYNN

Very well.

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

(who replied) said: I have not seen the report referred to. The Resident Magistrate states that he refused to admit the hon. Member for West Cork to bail as he had treated the Court with contempt in failing to appear when summoned, and for no other reason. The Court of Queen's Bench, while granting bail in the case, held that the Resident Magistrate had exercised a proper discretion in refusing it when the case was before him. The escort consisted of a Head Constable and four men, two of whom only were fully armed. The hon. Member twice only asked permission to leave the train. On the first occasion it, was at once granted; but on the second occasion he was prevented from going to the refreshment bar with his friends. The Head Constable, however, offered to send for any refreshment he might require.