CAPTAIN FABERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at Roscommon quarter sessions in a case where a policeman was processed for the value of a drum which was damaged in a conflict with the police in an attempt to intimidate one B. O'Brien, the holder of a grass farm; is he aware that the judge stated that intimidation had taken place and dismissed the process, but afterwards reversed this decision and gave compensation for the drum; and will he say if there have been further attempts to intimidate graziers in Roscommon since this decision, and have any of the persons attacked surrendered their property.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDBefore that Question is answered, Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that this is canvassing or censuring the conduct of a judge. The Question alleges that the judge said that in consequence of intimidation that he would dismiss the process and that he afterwards reversed that decision, and the Question goes on to ask whether in consequence of that action of the judge attempts at intimidation had increased. Is that not canvassing and censuring the conduct of a judge?
§ *MR. SPEAKERIf the implication were as the hon. Member suggests it would be clearly out of order, but it does not appear to me, with such knowledge of the 776 facts as the Question gives me that that implication must necessarily be made. The suggestion is that the judge changed his mind; I do not suppose that is any imputation upon him.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDThe Question asks whether since that action of changing his mind the attempts have increased.
§ *MR. SPEAKERThe words "since that decision," simply refer to a point of time.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman say if, as a matter of fact, this judge is not a Unionist gentleman appointed by the Unionist Government?
CAPTAIN FABERThe last thing I should wish to do is to canvass the conduct of any judge in the United Kingdom.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am informed that in the case referred to, which was heard on 27th March, the County Court Judge gave a decree against a constable for damaging a drum. The constable, however, has lodged an appeal, and it would therefore be undesirable to enter into the details of the case. An intimidatory demonstration was attempted at Elphin on 31st March, the particulars of which are stated in my reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Mid Armagh on 10th April.† I am not aware of any other recent similar case in Roscommon. The police authorities have heard that some graziers in the district have announced their intention of surrendering their farms, but have no information that any surrender has actually taken place.