§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord 244 Lieutenant of Ireland whether eight fishermen of Brandon, County Kerry, have been sent to gaol owing to their inability to pay the fines and costs imposed upon them for fishing in the Owen More and Cloghane Rivers; and whether, in view of the poverty of these men and the exceptional circumstances of their case, the authorities will consent to their release?
MR. J. MORLEYI am informed that seven fishermen were committed to prison in default of the payment of fines imposed upon them for illegal fishing, and that in the cases of six of these their term of imprisonment, which was for one week, will expire either to-day or tomorrow. As regards the seventh, he was committed to prison for two consecutive terms of seven days each. One of 1hese has just expired. He was released this morning from the other on the payment of the fine and costs.