HC Deb 25 June 1906 vol 159 cc600-1
MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that James Ward, who was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment at the Sligo winter assizes, † See (4) Debates, Clv., 476; clvii, 482. for having published a seditious libel against the Government and trying to prevent persons from enlisting in the Army and Navy, has been liberated three months in advance of the termination of his sentence; whether he is aware that James Ward, since his incarceration, has been unanimously co-opted a member of the Castlebar Urban Council; and whether in view of the fact that this man has been imprisoned for this offence, he will take steps to have the appointment cancelled.

(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) James Ward has been released, by order of the Lords Justices, two and a half months before the termination of his sentence of nine months. He has, I am informed, been co-opted, but not unanimously, a member of the Castlebar Urban District Council. He does not appear to be disqualified from acting upon the district council. The Irish Government have no power to cancel appointments of this nature.