§ MR. MAGUIRE (Clare, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he would state how long has Michael Fetherstone, of Ballintobber, County Roscommon, been confined in Sligo for contempt of Court for retaking possession of his holding; whether a settlement has been come to in respect to the holding in consequence of the dispute regarding which the imprisonment took place; and whether, under these circumstances, there is any reason for his further detention?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneFetherstone has been detained in prison for contempt of Court since May 3 last, and I understand it is 1587 true that within the last few days a settlement has been arrived at in respect of the holding for the retaking possession of which he is now detained in custody. The discharge of prisoners in contempt cases—which is not a matter in which the Executive can interfere—is always dealt with by the Judge who makes the order of committal, and I have no doubt the Receiver who arranged the settlement in the present case will consider it his duty to bring the matter under the notice of the Judge.