§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland the following question of which I have given him private notice:—Whether his attention has been directed to the disgraceful action of Mr. Gardiner, R.M., on Wednesday last, at the Cork police office, in refusing to dismiss a number of cases in which the defendants were irregularly sued for rates, and granting decrees in the face of admitted irregularities, and in the absence both of defendants and plaintiffs; whether Gardiner acted on instructions from the Castle; and, if not, whether he will be remonstrated with, if not removed from his responsible position, and thus have a further prostitution of justice prevented.
§ MR. MADDENI only received private notice of the question as I came into the House. If the hon. Member will put the question on the Paper, I will endeavour to answer it.
§ DR. TANNERI shall be most happy to give the right hon. and learned Gentleman any information I can afford him. I only desire to get an answer from him before he ascends the Bench.