HC Deb 15 March 1888 vol 323 cc1298-9
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

(for Mr. MURPHY, Dublin, St. Patrick's) asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What were the names of the two persons whose fines of £10 each for offences against the Margarine Act were reduced to £2 each by the Lord Lieutenant on Memorial; what was the date on which the original fines were imposed by the police magistrate; and, if any other Memorials have been received by the Lord Lieutenant, praying to reduce fines under the same Act?

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

(who replied) said, the names of the two persons referred to were Bartholomew Magee and Bridget O'Gorman. They were convicted on February 15. Three other Memorials had since been received by the Lord Lieutenant, praying that the fines which had been imposed upon them under the same Act might also be reduced, and those Memorials were now under consideration.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman have any objection to inform the Lord Lieutenant that all these parties have the right of appeal to the Recorder of Dublin?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

In all probability the Lord Lieutenant is perfectly aware of that.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I also wished to ask, as the only remaining industry in the three Southern Provinces of Ireland is the making of butter, why the Lord Lieutenant has reduced the fines so justly imposed by the magistrates from £10 to £2 without oven giving them the opportunity of appealing?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

When did the three other convictions occur, and who were the magistrates?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

In the first two cases, as I explained a few days ago, the Lord Lieutenant took into consideration the fact that they were the first cases which had occurred under the Act. They occurred almost immediately after the Act came into operation, and the Lord Lieutenant considered that some clemency might be exercised with regard to them. The three later cases to which I have referred were dealt with by the magistrates on March 2, and of course those offenders had more time to know what they were about and had also time to hear of the previous convictions. I cannot possibly say what effect their appeal to the Lord Lieutenant will have, but I should say that probably that circumstance would be taken into consideration. Mr. Woodlock was the presiding magistrate in each case.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentlemen aware that on the day after the proclamation of the County Clare, my hon. Friend the Member for the Eastern Division of County Clare (Mr. Cox) was for a speech then delivered subsequently arrested and sentenced to four months' imprisonment; and may I ask if the Lord Lieutenant's attention was directed to that case under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act; and if the Lord Lieutenant will inquire into that case and consider whether it is not a fit one to show his clemency, as the alleged offence was committed immediately after?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. T. M. HEALY

As the alleged offence was committed after—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! Mr. Pickersgill.