§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether the attention of the Lord Chancellor has been directed to the fact that Captain Richard John Rye, D.L. of Rye Court, Cookstown, County Cork, has, after three days' trial before the Cookstown Bench of Magistrates, been returned for trial to next Cork Assizes charged with a felonious assault; and whether it is the intention of the Lord Chancellor to continue Captain Rye in the Commission of the Peace?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Lord Chancellor is aware of the fact mentioned; but he is of opinion that it would not be proper for him to take any present action which would be calculated to prejudice the trial of the case.
§ DR. TANNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first accusation of a similar assault against Captain Rye?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware; but even if it were true it would not affect the decision of the Lord Chancellor.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 26th March last, Mr. John Rye, D.L., moved and succeeded in carrying the rejection of a poor man named Corcoran's application for outdoor relief at the Bandon Board of Guardians, which application was made in consequence of Corcoran not being able to work, being severely wounded by Mr. Rye's father, Captain R. Rye, D.L, who was lately returned for trial for this felonious assault; and whether 804 it is in his power to take any action in the matter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. Member will refer to the reply given by me to his question on this subject asked on 31st March, he will find that the allegation he now makes as to Corcoran's application for relief having been rejected on 26th March is not a fact. On the contrary, this man's allowance of 5s. a week was then continued, and has since continued.
§ DR. TANNERIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. John Rye moved and succeeded in carrying the rejection of relief to this poor man on the day in question? It he will make inquiry he will find that the application for outdoor relief was made and officially rejected on the 26th of March. Will the right hon. Gentleman cause some inquiry to be made into the action of Mr. Rye on this occasion in endeavouring to defeat justice in the case of his father, Captain Rye, now charged with a felonious assault and attempt to murder?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of the facts of the case.
§ DR. TANNERAm I to understand, from the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, that Captain Rye did not fire upon this man on two occasions?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman put a question upon the Paper in regard to the refusal of relief, and he now puts a rider to the question about somebody else—a third person.
§ DR. TANNERMr. Speaker, I must ask——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ DR. TANNERBut I want to know——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!