§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a criminal prosecution against Mr. John Mackey, Sessional Crown Solicitor, County Donegal, and to his admissions and statements made on oath at Petty Sessions in Ramelton, County Donegal, on 29th March last; whether he is aware that Mr. Mackey swore that he would have run a sword through the body of Hugh Hegarty, complainant in 1286 the said action, if he had resisted arrest, because his (Mr. Mackey's) pane of glass, value 1s. 6d., had been accidentally broken, and that the summons which Mr. Mackey issued against Hegarty, under the Malicious Injuries Act, for breaking his window, was dismissed by the Magistrates; whether Mr. Mackey reported the matter, the occurrence at his own house, to the Government; and, if so, what is the date of the Report; and whether he is still in the Service of the Crown?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have not seen an authoritative report of the evidence in the case referred to, which, it appears, is still sub judice, having been adjourned to the Petty Sessions to be held on Saturday next. I cannot establish the precedent of making a statement in regard to an official communication alleged to have passed between this officer and the Government, which, did it exist, would necessarily be regarded as of a privileged character. The reply to the last paragraph is in the affirmative.