HC Deb 04 August 1902 vol 112 cc511-2
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland (1) whether he can say how many jurors were ordered to stand by by the Crown official in the case of Bartholomew Crowley and James Eustace, charged at the present Cork Assizes on a charge of White-boyism; (2) how many of these jurors † See preceding Volume, p. 1018. were Roman Catholics; and (3) were these jurors challenged with the sanction of Mr. Solicitor General, who conducted the prosecution.

MR. ATKINSON

The number of jurors ordered to stand aside in the case referred to was twenty - four. These jurors were so ordered to stand aside by the Crown solicitor in obedience to the circular letter of February, 1894, which expressly directs him to take that course—not because of the religions of the jurors, as to which he is prohibited from making any inquiry—but where he has reason to conclude the jurors, if sworn, would not find a true verdict upon the evidence. The Crown solicitor acted without any special directions from the Solicitor General. I am not aware of the religions of the jurors challenged.

MR. FLYNN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two of the challenged jurors were magistrates of the City of Cork?

MR. ATKINSON

I am not.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

How long is this practice to continue?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!