§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)To ask Mr. Attorney-General for 265 Ireland if he will state the circumstances under which Mr. Timothy Flanagan, of Corofin, county Clare, has been lodged in Limerick Prison; and whether he will inquire as to whether Mr. Flanagan's release can be ordered.
(Answered by Mr. Cherry.) Mr. Timothy Flanagan was prosecuted at Corofin petty sessions for having acted as a member of the district council there, whilst disqualified, and fined £12 and costs. The fine and costs were not paid, and on failure of distress he was committed to Limerick prison for four months in default. The prosecution was at the instance of a private individual, and was not directed by me or in any way under my control. A conditional order for a writ of certiorari to quash the conviction has been granted by the King's Bench Division of the High Court, and the matter will come before the Court for final adjudication in a short time. The Lord-Lieutenant has been advised that, pending the result of these proceedings, there is no power to discharge Mr. Flanagan.