MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why Mr. Sadleir, Tipperary, has not been tried at the Cork Assizes for the crime which he has been returned for; bow often has his trial been postponed; when was the alleged offence committed; and what instructions as to challenging jurors likely to be in sympathy with him have been given in his case?
§ * THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneIn replying to a somewhat similar question addressed to me in August last by the hon. Member for South Tipperary, I stated that on June 11, 1892, Mr. Sadleir had assaulted a sergeant of the Constabulary by striking him with a stone, which indicted a deep wound. Sadleir was arrested the following day and admitted to bail, the life of the injured man not having been considered in danger. The trial of Sadleir has been postponed three times, as there was some hope on each occasion that the sergeant would be sufficiently recovered to be able to attend at the following Assizes, and on the third occasion (at the Summer Assizes of 1893) medical evidence was given to the effect that the sergeant was suffering from melancholia and mental aberration, and a postponement was applied for by the Crown and granted by the Court. The sergeant has been declared unfit for further service in the Constabulary, and was discharged on a pension in September last. I also pointed out to the hon. Member for South Tipperary that, even if the sergeant should not be able to appear at the Winter Assizes, the Attorney General would consider the advisability of putting the accused on his trial on the other evidence that might be available. I have no information as to the present state of health of the sergeant, but I learn that the trial will be proceeded with at the 436 adjourned Winter Assizes at Cork on January 8. No instructions have been issued in the direction indicated at conclusion of question.