§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the case of Miss Quane, who has been sent to gaol in Tipperary on the charge of "hooting the police," would he explain in what the alleged crime consisted, and under what law it is punishable; upon what evidence was Miss Quane convicted; and by whom was the sentence imposed upon her?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe woman referred to was summoned at the time for being one of a disorderly crowd which stoned the police in December, 1889. 259 She did not obey the summons. A warrant was thereupon issued, but she evaded arrest until the 23rd ult. She was brought up before a Court of ordinary Petty Sessions, the Bench consisting of five Magistrates. The evidence of the police was uncontradicted. The Magistrates ordered the woman to find bail to keep the peace, and to be of good behaviour. This she refused to do, electing to go to prison in default. The committing Justices, however, subsequently recommended the case to the clemency of the Lord Lieutenant, on the ground that the offence was committed so long ago. The woman has accordingly been released from custody.