HC Deb 07 June 1888 vol 326 cc1382-3
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N,)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is the statement in The Daily News of May 5 correct, to the effect that a secret inquiry under "The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887," was held by Mr. Hamilton, R.M., at Ballyconnell House, Cloughanely, County Donegal, the residence of Mr. Olphert, a local landlord, and that a man who refused to give evidence thereat was sent to Derry Gaol for seven days; and, is it in conformity with the Statute to hold such inquiries outside Court-houses?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The Resident Magistrate informs me that there is no ground whatever for the statement in The Daily News referred to by the hon. and learned Member in this Question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said, he should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman he would have any objection to afford an inquiry into this matter? Perhaps he had better read a telegram that he had received as the ground for this Question. It was from Mr. Waugh, Central News correspondent, and stated that a Star Chamber inquiry had been positively held at the house of Mr. Olphert. That was the authority, he presumed, for the statement; and as Mr. Hamilton gave this a point blank contradiction, and as it was alleged a man had been sent to gaol, he would ask the Government either to hold an inquiry into the matter themselves or afford the House an opportunity of doing so.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, as they had the statement of Mr. Hamilton that he had not only held no inquiry at Mr. Olphert's house, but that he had never been inside it, and the testimony on the other side being some newspaper correspondent, he did not see that anything would be gained by holding an inquiry into the matter.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

Where was the inquiry held?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

In the proper place, of course.

MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether an inquiry had been held in any house belonging to Mr. Olphert; and whether several of Mr. Olphert's servants were sent to gaol for contempt of Court on refusing to answer questions?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, he did not see that this had any reference whatever to the Question on the Paper. No inquiry had been held except in the place required by Statute.