HC Deb 31 January 1893 vol 8 cc53-4

In the Matter of "The Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868," and "The Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883," and in the Matter of a Petition in relation to the Election, held inn the month of July 1892. of a Member to serve in Parliament for the South Meath Division of the County of Meath. Between—

James Joseph Dalton, Petitioner,

and

Patrick Fullain, Respondent.

We hereby certify to the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Commons that the above-mentioned Petition was tried before us at Trim, in the County of Meath, on the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 28th, and 29th days of November, 1892, and that after the conclusion of the said trial, we did, on the 30th day of November 1892, determine that the said Patrick Fullam, whose election was complained of by the said Petition, was not duly elected to serve in the present Parliament for the South Meath Division of the county of Meath, and that his said Election was void.

And, pursuant to the said Acts, we hereby report to the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Commons that Patrick Fullam the Respondent was guilty, by his agents, of the corrupt practice of undue influence by threatening certain persons with spiritual injury to induce them to vote at the said Election for the said Patrick Fullam and to refrain from voting for the Petitioner, who was the other candidate at the said Election.

And, we further report, that the corrupt practice of undue influence, by spiritual intimidation, did extensively prevail at the said election, but that, with the exception of such practice, no other corrupt or illegal practice was proved to have prevailed or to have been committed, nor is there reason to believe extensively prevailed at the said Election.

And we further certify that we differ as to reporting the names of persons guilty of corrupt practices.

We beg also to state that a copy of the said Petition and a copy of the evidence given at the said trial thereof, taken down by the deputies of the shorthand writer of the House of Commons, accompany this Certificate and. Report.

Given under our hands this 30th day of November in the year of our Lord 1892,

WILLIAM O' BRIEN,

WILLIAM D. ANDREWS,

Two of the Judges for the time being on the rota for the trial of Election Petitions in Ireland, and by whom the said Election Petition was tried, pursuant to the Statute in that case made and provided.