HC Deb 15 March 1888 vol 323 cc1280-1
MR. FIRTH (Dundee)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true (as stated in The Star newspaper of the 10th of March) that on the 2nd of March, at Dingle, in County Kerry, a newsvendor, named Patrick Ferriter, was sentenced, to three months' hard labour for selling a copy of United Ireland to a policeman named Reddy; whether in order to obtain the paper, the policeman falsely represented his name to be Tynan, and described himself as a Wexford tailor out of work; whether the sale of the paper took place in November, 1887; and, whether the policeman has been promoted or censured?

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

(who replied) said: Sir, Patrick Ferriter was sentenced at Dingle on the 2nd of March to three months' imprisonment for selling United Ireland, containing reports of suppressed branches of the National League. The constable denies that he gave the name of Tynan, but he did represent himself as a tailor. The sale did take place in November last, and the prosecution was instituted soon after; but the case had to be adjourned from time to time. The policeman has not been promoted or censured.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

I wish to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, whether the adjournments from November to the trial were not on every occasion at the instance of the Crown; and, whether at the trial Mr. Ferriter applied for a further adjournment, as his solicitor was engaged at the Assizes at Tralee, and was refused?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I cannot reply to the first part of the Question of the hon. and learned Gentleman in the affirmative, because twice Ferriter was unable to appear at the Sessions in consequence of undergoing imprisonment for committing assaults on the police. I cannot say, at the present moment, what wore the reasons for the other adjournments; but if the hon. and learned Gentleman will put a Question on the Paper I will answer it.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

But the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has given his answer on the report in a paper, and cannot he say whether or not this was in the paper?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I did not give my answer from the report in the paper. I have stated that on two occasions Ferriter was in prison.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

Well, I will put the Question down.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

This man had three months for soiling United Ireland. Would it not have been equally an offence if he had refused to sell it, as in the recent case of refusing to sell turf?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I think that is a matter of opinion. It is hardly a matter for a Question.