HC Deb 18 February 1902 vol 103 cc363-4
MR. DELANY

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that at the last Quarter Sessions for Queens County, held in Maryborough on the 21st January, 1902, the grand jurors, after assembling, were immediately discharged by the judge, there being no criminal business to be disposed of; and, whether, under such circumstances, it is the duty of the sheriff to notify jurors that their attendance is not required.

MR. ATKINSON

The Clerk of the Peace states that there was one criminal case tried at the Quarter Sessions mentioned. With regard to the Grand Jury, he explains he was aware that on the 14th January a man was charged at Rathdowney Petty Sessions with obtaining goods by false pretences. This case, he anticipated, would be returned to the Quarter Sessions at Maryborough, but it was returned to the Assizes instead on the 18th January. The Assistant to the Clerk of the Peace did not inform him the case had been sent to Assizes, and it was not until the morning of the 21st January, when the Quarter Sessions opened, that he became aware of the fact, when the Grand Jury was at once discharged.