§ MR. WILLIAM CORBETI wish to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the protest of the Grand Jury of the County of Wicklow, at the Assizes just concluded, against the Crown summoning so large a number of special jurors, 275, when the business consisted of only one special case; and whether any steps will betaken to put a stop to such proceedings in future?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy attention has been called to the protest of the Grand Jury of the County of Wicklow by the question of the hon. Member. I am informed, however, that when this protest was handed in to the learned Judge, he said that as there were appended to the protest the signatures of 100 persons who did not appear when summoned, it was hard to entertain their complaint. The case at Wicklow was one of grave importance—being an attack on a house and its surrounding by a riotous mob. The Attorney General can give no undertaking that cases of such importance will not be tried by special juries. The Sheriff had no option but to summon the number of special jurors mentioned in the question.
§ MR. CORBETIs it the fact that in consequence of the large number of specials jurors summoned, the Crown 537 were enabled to pack the jury by excluding all Catholics from it; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over 30 jurors were ordered to stand aside?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWill the hon. Member kindly give notice of the question?