§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Home, R.M., has recently been promoted from being a third class Resident Magistrate to a first class Resident Magistrate; whether he was so promoted over the heads of his seniors, and over how many seniors; when and on what grounds was the promotion made; and how long was Mr. Home engaged in collecting the evidence which has been used by the Times before the Special Commission?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMr. Horne was promoted to the first class of Resident Magistrates in succession to the late Mr. Warburton, who died on the 2nd of December, from which date the promotion took effect. He was thus given 37 steps in seniority. The promotion was made in recognition of the signal public services of Mr. Horne in connection with the detection of criminals, both before and since the passing of the Crimes Act. I may mention especially, among recent instances, the conviction of the murderers of Patrick Quirke, of the assailants of John Lane, who was fired at and wounded in November, 1887, and of the persons who were convicted for shooting the schoolmaster Robinson and his daughter in March of last year. In all these cases the criminals 403 were brought to justice mainly through the action of Mr. Horne.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYDoes promotion by 37 steps mean that this gentleman has been promoted over the heads of 37 other persons?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, I apprehend it does mean that.