§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to proceedings at Limerick Petty Sessions on the 27th July, when a man named Doyle was prosecuted for posting on the walls of the city notices threatening one William Bateman as a landgrabber, for taking a farm on Lord Lansdowne's estate formerly occupied by a Mrs. Morrison; whether he is aware that Doyle was arrested by the police in the very act of posting the notices in question and fully identified; that the Crown Solicitor who prosecuted said he did so by direction of the Attorney General, the case being one to which the Government attached importance; and that the Magistrates by a majority refused to return the case for trial; and if the Government intend to take any further proceedings in this case?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI have had before me all the facts connected with this case. Doyle was one of three persons who were observed standing together; the other two ran away, and escaped from the police. After Doyle was arrested he threw away some documents, which turned out to be boycotting notices. There was no evidence forthcoming that he had actually posted the notices, although there was a strong case of suspicion made out against him. The Crown Solicitor prosecuted by direction of the Attorney General. The Magistrates, by a majority of five to four, refused to send the case for trial. The Government could only interfere with the exercise of the Magisterial discretion if it were established that the Magistrates were clearly and unmistakably wrong in 1196 their decision, which can hardly be alleged in the present instance.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI hope to have an opportunity on the Vote on Account of calling attention to this matter.