§ MR. WILLIAM KENNY (Dublin, St. Stephen's Green)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the observations of Mr. Justice Gibson at the opening of the Limerick Assizes on Thursday last, to the effect that there was an increase of specially reported crimes as compared with last year, the numbers being 81 as against 54; that he regarded them as showing a certain amount of hardy lawlessness in the community, while an utter disregard on the part of the victims to come for- 1433 ward and give evidence was displayed; and whether, in view of this statement by the Judge of Assize, and the hope expressed by Mr. Justice O'Brien at the Clare Assizes, that means would be found to remove the administration of the Criminal Law entirely out of the County of Clare, he will consider the advisability of again putting in force in those two counties those clauses of "The Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Act, 1887," which provide for special juries and change of venue?
§ MR. TUITE (Westmeath, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the criminal records for these Assizes have for years past been practically blank, and that one of the Judges who go this circuit has stated that he does not know what to do with all the white gloves presented to him?
MR. J. MORLEYMy attention has been drawn to the language of the learned Judge. No Assizes will be held for Clare or Limerick until the Summer Assizes, and meantime the Crown will consider what course is proper to pursue. I may add that the number of the reported outrages was in 1888, 103; in 1889, 85; in 1890, 97; in 1891, 78; and in 1892, 84; and, therefore, though the figures fluctuate, there is nothing alarming about the fluctuations. Of course, it is not a satisfactory state of things.
§ MR. W. REDMONDI beg to give notice that if any attempt is made to apply any of the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Act to County Clare, I shall strongly oppose it.