HC Deb 21 March 1892 vol 2 cc1320-1
MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the prosecution of Thomas Hamilton, George Ferguson, and John Ferguson, for assaulting Laurence Holly, at Cookstown Petty Sessions, on Friday 11th March; whether he is aware that the alleged assaults were committed during a party disturbance, and that George Ferguson brought cross charges against Laurence Holly and others; will he explain what were the grounds for prosecuting three instead of all the parties engaged in the disturbance; and whether, in view of the fact that the Chairman stated that it was a party case and that one was as bad as the other, can he exercise any discretionary powers which would enable the Fergusons to appeal?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin University

My attention has been called to this matter by the question of the hon Member. As he is aware, the case was fully examined by the Magistrate at considerable length. As a result the Fergusons were sentenced to one month's imprisonment for the assault and bound over to keep the peace for six months. George Ferguson brought a cross summons for assault which was dismissed on its merits. He complained that he and his brother were assaulted by the police, but he did not know by whom, and no action was taken by the police. I am informed that the Chairman did not say that the "one case was as bad as the other." I have no power to take the course suggested in the latter part of the question.