§ MR. MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the arrest and prosecution of Mrs. Birdie Butler and Mr. James O'Dea, a graduate and scholar of Trinity College, Dublin, and to their frequent remands, bail being refused on one occasion in the case of Mr. O'Dea, on a charge which the authorities now admit to have been absolutely groundless, of stealing a bag containing money at the Limerick Junction, which Mr. O'Dea, who was travelling up to Dublin with Mrs. Butler, believed with other luggage to have belonged to that lady, but which had been left carelessly near that luggage by a bank clerk in whose charge it was; and whether, having regard to the expense, grievous personal inconvenience, and anxiety of mind to which Mr. O'Dea and Mrs. Butler have been subjected, the Government intend to take any steps to make any compensation to them?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe accused were found in possession of this bag, of small dimensions, but weighing 35lbs., and containing a large sum in gold, under circumstances which required thorough investigation, and completely justified the action of the police. The accused parties were not put to unnecessary inconvenience, and though they have, on the full examination of the facts, been entirely exculpated, it is not a case calling for compensation by the Crown.
§ MR. MACNEILLasked the right hon. Gentleman if he was aware that this lady and graduate of Trinity College were kept in prison five days on this charge?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURwas understood to say that he was not aware of the fact mentioned by the hon. Member.
§ MR. MACNEILLI recommend them to consult a solicitor.