§ MR. MCCARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report in the Newry Telegraph of the 2nd April last, of proceedings at Petty Sessions, Rathfurland, where it appears that two men, named Dubby Smith and Patrick McEvoy, had violated the conditions of their recognizances previously entered into; that Smith, who was bound himself in £10, and two sureties in £5 each, was merely fined in 10s., and his sureties in 5s. each, while McEvoy, who was bound in only £5, and two sureties of £2 10s. each, had his recognizances estreated, and the two sureties had to pay £2 10s. each; and whether he will explain why Smith, who had been bound over in the larger amounts, was treated so leniently, while McEvoy and his sureties were obliged to pay the full amount?
§ MR. JACKSONI am informed that the circumstances of the two cases referred to were wholly different. As regards Smith, he was convicted and fined 21s. for being drunk and disorderly during the period he was under bail. For this offence, in addition to the fine, his bail bonds were estreated to the amount stated in the question. McEvoy was committed for trial for assault and for using a knife, and admitted to bail. He absconded before the holding of the Petty Sessions, and his recognizances were accordingly estreated.