§ MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, will he state by whose authority the public were excluded from the court at Mill Street, county Cork, on Monday last, when seven men, being charged with entering the house of Thomas Justice, a bailiff and rent Warner, and stealing a gun therefrom, were returned to the next assizes, bail being refused; and has his attention been called to the statement of District Inspector Cosgrove, in opposing the prisoners being let out on bail, who said that between this and the assizes the defendants would be going around the country making up alibis; and, if so, will the authorities take notice of the conduct of this police officer?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN ATKINSON, Londonderry)The presiding magistrates have full power, under the Statute, to exclude the public on all occasions where depositions are taken in indictable offences such as this.
§ MR. FLYNNasked whether it was competent for the presiding officer to exclude other magistrates—ordinary magistrates—from attendance in court in such cases?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDNo, Sir; and I not aware that it has been done.