§ MR. M'DERMOTT (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Thomas Eaton, of Gores-bridge, county Kilkenny, who was committed to prison for contempt of court has now been ten months imprisoned, and that Dr. Waters appeared at the petty sessions to prosecute Eaton as representing the trustees of the estate; and whether he will give instruction that the Crown shall be represented by some solicitor other than Dr. Waters at the forthcoming prosecution of Eliza Eaton.
§ MR. ATKINSONAt the request of my right hon. friend, I will reply to this question. Thomas Eaton was committed for contempt of court on a writ of attachment issued by the Court of Chancery, the contempt of court consisting of retaking forcible possession of the holding from which he had been evicted. He was imprisoned from the 15th April, 1899, to 19th May, 1899, and again from the 7th June, 1900, to the 30th ultimo. I see no inconsistency in the prosecution of Eliza Eaton for forcible entry being conducted by the Crown Solicitor, Dr. Waters. It is in the interest of public order.