§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Patrick Doorley, who was tried at the Summer Assizes in King's County for firing into 1097 the house of Patrick Nolan, a caretaker of an evicted farm, on 27th February, 1892, with the result that the jury disagreed; whether he is aware that additional evidence having been secured Doorley was, by direction of the Law Officers of the late Government, again sent for trial at the Spring Assizes, when the Law Officers of the Crown directed a nolle prosequi to be entered, although Crown summonses were served in the case and maps of the scene of the outrage made; and if he can state the reasons for the Crown procedure in this case?
MR. J. MORLEYMy attention has been drawn to the case mentioned. It was referred to, I believe, by the Leader of the Opposition the other night. On the occasion of the trial of the prisoner before a special jury at the Summer Assizes of 1892 the jury disagreed. No additional evidence was since obtained, nor was a second trial directed by the Law Officers of the late Government. The papers in this case came before the present Attorney General on the eve of the opening of the Assizes, and he directed a prosecution in the ordinary course, the accused being then out on bail. When the Attorney General returned to Dublin the chief Crown Solicitor drew his attention to the proceedings at the trial, when the Judge charged in favour of an acquittal, and then the Attorney General decided not to proceed.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was certain that two new witnesses had not been found, that maps had not been prepared, and Crown summonses issued for a new trial?
MR. J. MORLEYsaid, Crown summonses were issued in accordance with the decision to which the Attorney General had arrived while in London, and before he had consulted the chief Crown Solicitor in Dublin. He (Mr. Morley) was assured—and, as far as his information went, he was confident—that no now evidence was in the possession of the late Government; and certainly no new evidence had come into the possession of the present Government.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLgave notice that, on the Estimates, he would call attention to this matter.
§ MR. W. REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the address of the Lord Chief 1098 Justice at the Assizes for King's County, in which his Lordship congratulated the Grand Jury on the satisfactory condition of the county, and the great decrease in serious crime?