§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the present Cork Assizes on 18th and 19th instant; whether he is aware that at the trial of Richard Moynihan charged with stealing two sums of 10s. each, forty-five jurors were ordered by the Crown Counsel to stand by; and that on the trial of Denis Crowley and Daniel Crowley, on a charge of manslaughter, fifty-two jurors were ordered to stand by; and will he state whether the action adopted by the Crown Counsel in these cases was taken with the knowledge and sanction of the Law Officers of the Crown in Ireland.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)My attention has been called to the matter referred to, and I have called for a report, but have not yet received it, so that I am unable to reply as to the particulars. It is the duty of the Crown Solicitor, not the Crown Counsel, to set aside jurors. In the discharge of that duty he is guided by the 1342 directions contained in the Circular of February, 1896. No special directions were given, but, of course, I am responsible.
§ MR. FLYNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that out of the ninety-seven jurors ordered to stand aside, ninety-four were Roman Catholics?
§ MR. ATKINSONI can add nothing to the answer I have given.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the packing machine in Cork is well oiled, as usual?