§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland if he is aware that Mr. Walsh, of the Cashel Sentinel, was sentenced 706 to three months' imprisonment for conspiracy at Tipperary, and arrested instantly on conviction; that several days before he had been (on appeal) sentenced to two months' imprisonment for the publication of a speech in his newspaper; but that the police held over the first warrant, commanding them to arrest him on the latter charge, in order to see what would be the result of the Tipperary prosecution; under what authority was this done; do the Government still hold over the warrant; under what Statute do the police exercise this, suspensory power; and what officer is responsible?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN, Dublin University)I answered the question of the hon. and learned Member on Friday.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe question I have put now has not been answered. What I want to know is this: Will the Government state why the warrant against Mr. Walsh was held over and under what Statute it was not enforced? Where is there any suspensory power?
§ MR. MADDENIf the hon. and learned Gentleman desires a further explanation I must ask him to put a question on the Paper.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI think I am entitled to know who signed the warrant, and who is responsible for its execution.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYBy what contrivance was it that the County Court Judge allowed three months to elapse? Mr. Walsh was already in gaol, and the effect was to secure that he should undergo three months' imprisonment before the first warrant was executed.
§ MR. MADDENThe matter rested entirely with the County Court Judge. I am informed that the warrant is now signed.