HC Deb 20 July 1905 vol 149 cc1386-7
MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a case heard in Limerick a few weeks ago where a Mr. Gaffee, who is a Jew, summoned a woman for the payment of a sum of £3, that the woman declared in her evidence, previous to attacks made upon Mr. Gaffee by the Rev. Mr. Creagh, C.C., she was paying weekly instalments of 3s.; whether, seeing the Court reduced the amount sued for to £1 16s. to be paid in instalments of 3d. per week, and the fast that Gaffee has been seriously injured in business by the attacks of the priest, he can say what steps, if any, he proposes taking, in the matter.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)

I have made inquiries, but have been unable to ascertain that any such case was heard in any of the Limerick Courts recently. If my hon. friend will inform me more precisely when, and in what Court, the case was heard, I will make further inquiry.

MR. JOYCE (Limerick) asked if the police had been directed to make inquiries into this case?

MR. ATKINSON

No, Sir.

MR. SLOAN

Was not the hon. Member for Limerick himself a member of the Court?

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Kildare, N.)

How much of the claim represented usury?

MR. JOYCE

I was at the Court. As a matter of explanation, may I say I object to the introduction of the Rev. Father Creagh's name into the case. It has nothing to do with the merits. Taking into account the poverty of the woman and the amount she had paid, I made the order of 3d. a week and should do so again in like circumstances.

MR. SLOAN

In view of that statement, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire further?

MR. ATKINSON

I have made all the inquiries I can