§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu- tenant of Ireland if he is aware that a man named John White, of Dernassel, county 'Monaghan, has been under detention in Dundalk Jail since the beginning of last October, without having been brought to trial; and, will the man be speedily brought to trial or released?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed that White was committed to Dundalk Prison in October last for contempt under an order of the Court of 1238 Chancery. The responsibility for the proceedings in such cases rests altogether with the Court, and the Executive have no power to interfere in any way. The man's discharge from prison lies practically in his own hands, and if he communicates with the Court, expressing regret for his action and undertaking not to repeat the offence for which he was committed, I have no doubt the Judge would, as in other similar cases, be inclined to favourably entertain an application for his discharge.