HC Deb 01 June 1905 vol 147 cc439-40
MR. P. A. McHUGH (Leitrim, N.)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that in the proceedings for contempt of Court against a man named Molloy recently in Ireland, counsel for the Attorney-General appeared to argue against Molloy; and will he say whether his appearance was directed by the Attorney-General; and whether, in view of the fact that the proceedings referred to were between private persons, he will say whether there is any precedent for such intervention by the representative of the Crown.

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

The Attorney-General's counsel, by the direction of the Solicitor-General, appeared for the governor of the gaol, a public official who had been served with notice, and simply argued that the governor's action was legal. In this the Court concurred. The representative of the Crown frequently appears for public officials in cases initiated by private parties, in which those officials are sought to be made liable for their official acts.

MR. FLYNN

What counsel appeared in this case?

MR. ATKINSON

My counsel.

MR. MACVEAGH

What was his name?

MR. P. A. McHUGH

Was it not the right hon. Gentleman's son?

MR. ATKINSON

Yes, Sir.