§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what was the number of jurors ordered by the Crown to stand aside in criminal trials at the late Cork winter assizes; and under what authority the Crown solicitors acted in challenging jurors without cause assigned.
§ MR. CHERRYNo winter assizes have been held at Cork since the year 1905. The winter assizes for the province of Munster were held last year at Limerick. The Crown solicitors there, for the various counties, acted under my directions in ordering jurors to stand aside. The directions I gave were the same as I have always given, namely, to follow strictly the rules laid down for their guidance in the circular issued on 12th February, 1894, to order any juror to stand aside whom they had reason to believe was in any way connected with the accused, or physically or mentally incompetent, or who had been canvassed on behalf of the accused, but not to challenge any juror on account of his religious or political opinions. I have no record of the number of jurors ordered to stand aside, but if the hon. Member desires it I shall endeavour to obtain a return for him.