HC Deb 27 October 1902 vol 113 cc825-6
MR. O'DOWD (Sligo, S.)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a farmer named Patrick Henry, of Cloonacool, county Sligo, was prosecuted at the Petty Sessions Court of Tubbercurry on the 6th February, 1902, for carrying a shot-gun without an Excise licence; that the case against Henry was unanimously dismissed by the magistrates; and that on appeal the finding of the Court below was unanimously upheld by Judge O'Connor Morris and his colleagues on the Bench; and whether, seeing that this poor man has been put to expense in having to defend these actions, steps will be taken to have his expenses refunded.

* THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

A similar Question on the same subject was answered by my predecessor on the 2nd of July last,† and I see nothing to alter in or add to that answer.

MR. O'DOWD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Board of Revenue have already refunded 10s. of this man's expenses, and will he reconsider the matter, seeing that this man was the victim of a bogus prosecution, and compassionate allowances are given to the criminals of the Sergeant Sheridan type?

No answer was returned.