HC Deb 05 February 1908 vol 183 cc877-8
MR. LONSDALE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention was directed to the circumstances attending the imprisonment of two gamekeepers in the employ of Lord Ashtown by order of a majority of magistrates at Bally-macarberry; and whether he will state upon what grounds the release of these men was ordered after one day's imprisonment.

MR. BIRRELL

The two men in question were released from prison by order of the Lords Justices acting for the Lord-Lieutenant. It would be quite contrary to practice and irregular to state the reasons which influence the exercise of the Lord-Lieutenant's prerogative in such cases.

MR. POWER (Waterford, E.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on whose report the Lords Justices acted?

MR. BIRRELL

I cannot, but I have no doubt they received legal advice before they took the action they did.