§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDYI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland if he is aware that in the recent trials at Galway a number of the jurors were ordered to stand by by the Crown; that several of these gentlemen protested against their enforced attendance, alleging that they had been ordered to stand by twice a day for four days by the Crown; and whether this interference with the liberties of the subject will at once receive the consideration of the Government.
§ THE ATTORNEY—GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londondeny, N.The Answer to the first inquiry is in the affirmative. As far as I have been able to ascertain, two jurors who had been ordered to stand by asked to be excused from further attendance. It was, of course, impossibleto comply with that request, as these jurors might, after the panel had been perused, be required to serve. In this there is no interference with the liberty of the subject, and there h no intention on the part of the Government to alter a practice which experience has shown to be necessary for the impartial administration of justice.
§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDYBut are the facts stated in the Question correct?
§ MR. ATKINSONMy information is that several jurors were ordered to stand aside. I have no knowledge as to the number of times. I am also told that two of them asked to be released and were refused.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)Is there any fund out of which the expenses of these jurors can be paid?
§ MR. ATKINSONNo, Sir.
§ MR. T. HARRINGTON (Dublin Harbour)Seeing that there was a panel of 293 jurors, was there any likelihood these men would be called on?
§ MR. ATKINSONThe hon. Member knows perfectly well that they might if there were an insufficient number of jurors.
§ MR. T. HARRINGTONNot likely with so big a panel.
§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway,)Is it one of the functions of a packed jury to pass resolutions denouncing the United Irish League as these jurors did?
§ MR. ATKINSONI must ask for notice of that.