§ MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the Government would consider the case of the six men in penal servitude for an alleged conspiracy at Crossmaglen, County Armagh, in 1881; and if the Government would have regard to the fact that no person or property was injured by those prisoners, and consent to their release after eight and a half years' imprisonment?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe cases of the convicts referred to have been before the Viceroys of successive Governments on Memorials submitted in their behalf, and the decisions come to have been that the law must take its course. There is no ground to reverse those decisions.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is not a question for the Government, but for the Courts of Law. I am not acquainted with the circumstances which attended the trial.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe case has been reviewed over and over again.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. Member desires I will inquire.