§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)On behalf of the honourable Member for South Kerry, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sergeant M'Grath, of Waterville, county Kerry, arrested without a warrant, on the 20th of May last, two boys named John and Michael Healy, aged respectively 12 and 15 years, who were shortly afterwards released, there being no evidence against them; at whose charge, and by what authority, were these boys arrested; is he also aware that an action was brought against M'Grath for the false charge and arrest, which was tried before Judge Shaw and a jury at Cahirciveen Quarter Sessions, and that during the trial Judge Shaw informed the jury that they would have to sign the issue paper as he directed; that he would take the responsibility; and that the jury had nothing to do with it; and whether any steps will be taken to compensate the mother of these innocent boys, who is a very poor widow?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have received a report from the police in reference to the statements contained in this Question, but, as I observe that an appeal against the decision of the jury at quarter sessions will be heard at the Tralee Assizes, which opened yesterday, I must ask the honourable Member to defer the question until the appeal shall have been heard.