MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland 400 whether he is aware that within the past week a number of students of Trinity College, Dublin, were convicted of assaulting Constable M'Sharry, 89 B, and attempting to rescue a prisoner, and that penalties of £1 each were inflicted; whether he is aware that two labourers, convicted of assault on a constable and rescue of a prisoner on Monday last, were committed to prison for six months, and ordered to find bail for their future good behaviour; and whether he will ask the magistrates who tried these cases to explain the circumstances which influenced them in giving such different sentences for the same offence. In putting the question, may I supplement it with the words which were omitted at the Table—namely, did the assault consist of kicking the policeman and smashing his helmet?
§ *MR. SPEAKERIf anything was omitted at the Table the hon. Member should appeal to me on the subject, and not put it in the form of a supplementary question.
§ *MR. SPEAKERIt would depend on the language in which it was couched.
§ MR. ATKINSONI have called for, but have not yet received, a report in reference to the first and second paragraphs of this question, which I may observe only appeared on the Paper this morning. As regards the last paragraph, I cannot, as suggested, on behalf of the Executive call upon magistrates to give the reasons for their decisions. If the hon. Member will repeat his question on Monday I shall endeavour to reply.