§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in May last Michael Hopkins, at present confined in Maryborough Prison, completed 7½ years' imprisonment, which, with the remission earned by his exceptionally good conduct since his committal, would count for 10 years out of the 24 to which he was sentenced; whether numerous petitions, signed by magistrates, clergymen, and representative men in County Longford, including the foreman of Longford Grand Jury, Colonel King-Harman, have been presented asking for mercy to him; and whether he can hold out any hope that the prayer of these petitions will be granted.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe statements in the first and second paragraphs are substantially accurate. Memorials praying for a remission of sentence have been presented to the present Lord Lieutenant and his predecessor, and have been refused. The case has again been before the Lord Lieutenant upon a communication received a day or two ago from the hon. Member, but it has been decided that the law should take its course.