MR, J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland by whose advice and at whose instigation the proceeding of having Mr. James Lynam, United Irish League organiser, bound to the peace was taken in the King's Bench Division. Dublin, instead of before a Bench of magistrates in county Longford; what was the cost of this proceeding: who issued the order for its being carried to the High Court; and how many such cases were tried in this way for the past ten years.
§ MR. ATKINSONAt my right hon. friend's request, I will reply to this Question. These proceedings were taken against Mr. Lynam by the direction of the Executive Government, acting on the advice of the law officers. The reason for proceeding in the 283 Superior Court was that on two previous occasions proceedings to bind to the peace and good behaviour had been taken against Mr. Lynam before Petty Sessions Courts without any decisive result, the Justices being equally divided on both occasions. No application of this kind has been made in the High Court for the last ten years, but several were made before that time. On those precedents the application was grounded. The costs and expenses incurred by the Crown were in all, as far as I can ascertain, £77 5s. 6d.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs it the fact that the Lord Chief Justice asked why the law officers were not present?
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLIf the proceedings had been taken in petty sessions, would not the costs have been about £7?
§ [No answer was returned.]