§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the prosecution by the Crown of Sergeant Byers, charged, at the Lurgan Petty Sessions recently with having fired several shots at three fishermen, named John Campbell, James Robinson, and John Robinson; can he explain why District Inspector Bigley, whilst conducting the prosecution, refused the assistance of Mr. J. G. Menary, the solicitor for the fishermen, present in Court, and finally entered the witness-box to give evidence for the accused; has his attention been called to the evidence that the statement of complaint made to Head Constable Green was given by the Police Authorities to the solicitor for the accused, and by him used against complainants; did the Sessional Crown Solicitor take any part in the prosecution: and, if not, will he state why?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that Mr. Bigley did not refuse the assistance of Mr. Menary, and that as a matter of fact the latter did aid in the prosecution by suggesting questions and examining and cross-examining the 473 witnesses. After the termination of the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. Bigley was required by the Court to give evidence as to the state in which he found the ammunition of the accused. His evidence was limited to that fact. The statement taken by Head Constable Green was produced in Court and used by the solicitors on both sides. The Bench consisted of nine Magistrates. The case was dismissed. I have no report on the last paragraph, but will make further inquiries if the hon. Member will repeat the question.
§ In reply to further questions by Mr. BLANE,
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid the charge appeared to have been a frivolous one.