§ MR. FLYNN () Cork, N.To ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the Winter Assizes recently held in Cork; whether he is aware that in two Macroom bankruptcy cases thirty-nine jurors and thirty-three respectively were ordered by the Crown representative to stand aside; in the Passage criminal assault case twenty-four jurors, and in the Clare manslaughter case fifty-three jurors were similarly treated: and 1614 was the action of the Crown representative taken with the knowledge and approval of the Irish Law Officers.
(Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) The number of jurors set aside in the bankruptcy cases is correctly stated. The Crown Solicitor reports that it was imperatively necessary to set them aside, as canvassing of the jurors on the panel on behalf of the prisoner extensively prevailed for several days before the trial, and influence was used in other ways upon the jurors in the interests of the accused. The number set aside in the second trial of the assault case was twenty-three. The jury disagreed on the first- trial, although the evidence was perfectly plain and convincing. The friends of the prisoner were numerous and influential and the Crown Solicitor believes they would have succeeded in defeating justice on the second, as they did on the first, occasion if he had not taken the course he did. In the Clare case the jury had disagreed at the Summer Assizes in Clare. Fifty-three jurors were set aside by the Crown, and twenty challenged by the prisoner. The case was perfectly clear. No special directions were given to the Crown Solicitors, but having regard to the circumstances mentioned, I entirely approve of their action.