§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Irwin, R.M., who acted as presiding magistrate, on giving the decision of the Bench in the case of "O'Shea v. Reardon," for an assault alleged to have been committed in Macroom, on the 8th of April last, is correctly reported to have stated, with respect to the meeting held on the occasion at issue, that he was not there to justify the magistrates who suppressed the meeting, but he even thought the meeting legal; whether it was clearly proved that O'Shea first struck Creedon; whether Mr. Irwin said that Creedon had no right to resist; whether it was on account of Creedon's superior strength he received the sentence of four months' imprisonment; whether it was proved that Creedon, after knocking O'Shea down, was attacked by nine or 10 policemen; whether it is correct that for several minutes they made no attempt to arrest him, but beat him with batons and fists; and, whether, under the circumstances, an inquiry will be made into the case, and the suppression of the meeting in question?
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I have caused a Report to be called for in regard to this Question, which is on today's Paper without previous Notice. A local reference has been found to be necessary; and I have, therefore, been unable to obtain the requisite reply.