§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a trial at Temple more, on 2nd October, at which two resident magistrates took part, when a week's imprisonment with hard labour was imposed in default of payment of a 5s. fine on Mr. Thomas Maher, a district councillor, for shouting "This is Sheridan's work"; and will he say on what grounds hard labour formed portion of the sentence on Mr. Maher.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)Mr. Thomas Maher was, on the 1st September, tried with ten others before a Bench consisting of two resident and five ordinary magistrates under the Towns Improvement Act for the offence of riotous and indecent behaviour in the public streets. All those charged other than Maher were acquitted; he was convicted and fined 5s., with 1s. 6d. costs, with seven days imprisonment in default 476 of payment. Hard labour was not awarded at all, and the fine was paid on the 3rd instant.
§ * MR. DELANY (Queen's Co., Ossory)Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the indecent conduct consisted of?
§ MR. ATKINSONNo, Sir.