§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Is it the fact that Mr. Edward Walsh, T.C., proprietor of The Wexford People, is to be tried on Wednesday by two Resident Magistrates on a charge of intimidating a landlord; that the Court will consist of, at least, one magistrate who lately sentenced Mr. Walsh to three months' hard labour for publishing in his paper Reports of suppressed League branches; whether the latter sentence was quashed as illegal; if the Government could arrange for Resident Magistrates to try Mr. Walsh who have not previously convicted him; and, who selects the members of the Court in such cases?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)Inquiries are being made on the subject of this Question. The fact that the Superior Court differed from the Resident Magistrates on a difficult point of law raises no presumption against their competence to deal with the case now before them. At the same time, I dare say, the magistrates would prefer that the present case against Mr. Walsh should be tried by a Court differently constituted; and, if practicable, it will be arranged that this shall be done.