HC Deb 25 February 1896 vol 37 cc1061-2
MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) has it come to his knowledge that an evicted tenant, named Pat M'Quade, of Gola, county Monaghan, was recently served with a summons requiring his attendance in Dublin to answer a charge of trespass, and that, failing to attend in Dublin for want of means, was arrested and imprisoned, and that his wife and six children have thereby been reduced to a state of destitution, necessitating their removal to the workhouse; and (2) will he inquire why this case was not tried at Petty Sessions instead of in Dublin?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

It appears to be a fact that the person named in the question has been recently committed to Dundalk prison for contempt under an Order of the Court of Chancery. The responsibility for the proceedings in such cases rests altogether with that Court, and the Executive have no power to interfere in any way. Regarding the allegation at the end of the first paragraph, I am informed that the family of M'Quade have not been removed to the workhouse and that, so far as the police are aware, they are not reduced to a state of destitution.

MR. MACALEESE

Has the Chief Secretary any objection to give the name of the Judge guilty of this extraordinary conduct; and will the right hon. Gentleman introduce a Bill to limit the power of Judges in such a matter?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I think it was Mr. Justice Boyd. The Government are not prepared to introduce a Bill.