HC Deb 12 February 1895 vol 30 cc547-8
MR. JOHN ROCHE (Galway, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Lord Clanricarde, at the last Killi-more Petty Sessions, prosecuted an evicted tenant named Matthew Donohue, for trespass of one sheep on the lands of Heathlawn, in County Galway; and that the Magistrates ordered the defendant to pay £2 as a fine and £1 costs, being double the amount of the value of the sheep; and whether he will consider the expediency of advising the remission of the sentence?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MOHLEY, Newastle-upon-Tyne)

I am informed by the Constabulary that the Magistrates fined Donohue two pence (not £2 as stated in the question) for the trespass of the sheep, and awarded £1 costs on the application of the prosecuting solicitor. I am advised that the Lord Lieutenant has no power to order a remission of the costs in the case.

MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a fine of £1 costs is illegal and contrary to the Statute?

[No answer was given.]