§ MR. BARTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to state how many, if any, statutable misdemeanours were aided and abetted by the police in Ireland under the late administration, in contravention of 14 & 15 Vic., c. 57, s. 148.
MR. J. MORLEYI have already stated that in a certain number of cases, primâ facie, and upon the reports submitted to me, seizures were made or attempted in contravention of the Statute. Of course, the information sought as to statutable misdemeanours definitely committed could only be given after a trial by Judge and Jury competent to deal with conflicting evidence.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman has declined to give the Sheriffs any chance of testing these cases lest it should lead to an action at law, will he give a list to the several Sheriffs charged with the breaches of the law so that they may offer explanation upon them.
MR. J. MORLEYNo, Sir. I have already said no good result would be gained, as the dispute is solely between 902 the police and the sheriffs, and I am not prepared to give access to confidential Reports.