§ MR. MOONEY (Newry)I beg to ask the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state what course he will take in view of the action of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Magistrate in fining, on a private prosecution, a Clontarf publican for opening on Sunday, and if the Attorney-General directed the police to prosecute in this matter.
§ MR. CHERRYIt is not my intention to interfere in this matter at all. It was a private prosecution, brought, I understand, by some advocates of the Temperance Party, who secured a conviction.
§ MR. MOONEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman say they had no authority from him?
§ MR. CHERRYThe prosecution was a private prosecution.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it not a fact that during the discussion of the Sunday Closing Bill last year, it was understood by general agreement that Clontarf should be regarded as part of the City of Dublin under the Act, being part of the municipality of Dublin?
§ MR. CHERRYI understand that is so, and I believe that the intention of the Act was as stated, and that was one of the reasons why I directed the police not to prosecute. The police had nothing to do with it.
§ MR. MOONEYasked if immediate steps would be taken to see that this mistake was remedied, and prevent futher prosecutions.
§ MR. CHERRYIt is not for me to promise legislation on the part of the Government.