§ MR. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the case of M'Guigan and Hughes,. sentenced at the Monaghan Petty Sessions Court to long terms of imprisonment, and denied the right of appeal on a technicality raised by the Crown, whether he will advise the reconsideration of the sentences with a view to their mitigation.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralIt is not for me to act as suggested in the question. Any memorial from the prisoners, or on their behalf, praying for a mitigation of sentence, should be addressed to the Lord Lieutenant, in whom alone is vested the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.