§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Meagher, who was accused at Clonmel on Saturday, before Mr. H. Turner, R.M., of disorderly conduct and intimidating Mr. C. N. Clarke, and who was not allowed to call witnesses in his defence although he protested his innocence and 775 was sentenced to three months' imprisonment in default of finding bail; and whether, seeing that if this man had been prosecuted under Section 2 of the Criminal Law and Procedure Act he would have had the light to call witnesses in his defence and would also have the right of appeal, he will explain why proceedings against him were not taken under this Act.
§ MR. BIRRELLIt is the fact that the defendant, though clearly identified, protested his innocence, but he produced no witnesses and did not ask for any adjournment to procure witnesses. The question of receiving evidence in such cases is one for the Court to decide. It is not the practice of His Majesty's present Government to institute proceedings under the Crimes Act.