§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, South)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what explanation, if any, has he to give for his selection of Mr. Harrel, whose appointment as resident magistrate only dates from 1900, to form one of the court of two resident magistrates to try cases under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act; and why has Mr. Harrel been sent to various parts of Ireland for the trial of such cases.
(Answer.) Mr. Harrel, resident magistrate, was appointed to the County Roscommon two years ago. He has not since been called upon to discharge any duty outside the jurisdiction originally assigned to him. He acted as a member of Crimes Courts at Ballinlough, 20th December, 1901; at French Park, 8th January, 1902; at Ballaghadereen, 18th February, 1902; at Loughglynn, 26th February, 1902; at Ballyhaunis, 2nd June, 1902; at French Park, 25th June, 1902; all these Courts are within his particular district. On two occasions, namely, at Ballymote, on 24th April, 1902, and at Sligo, on 6th June, 1902, he was ordered to assist in the formation of a Crimes Court outside his own district, but within his original jurisdiction. On these occasions he was detailed for duty in accordance with the ordinary necessities of the public service. As regards the Sligo case, Mr. Henn, the resident magistrate of the district in which the offences charged against the hon. Member for North Leitrim were alleged to have been committed, would naturally, in ordinary circumstances, have formed one of the Court recently constituted at Sligo. Mr. Henn's relations with the hon. Member have, for some time past, been such as to make it undesirable that he should act as one of the Court. The same observation applies to two other resident magistrates near to Sligo, and it was thought desirable, therefore, to send two resident magistrates unconnected with the district.—(Irish Office.)