§ MR. DELANYTO ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, seeing that the appeal of Patrick Sweeney, Killadooley, Ballybrophy, Queen's County, fell through owing to a technical error on the part of his solicitors, who was sentenced to a term of six months imprisonment with hard labour by Messrs. Dease and Fitzgerald, resident magistrates, at the petty sessions in Rathdowney last July, for an alleged assault on the police-sergeant of Borris-in-Ossory, in connection with a cattle-drive, and after the expiration of this term ordered to find bail for twelve months or in default to go to prison for another six months, and taking into consideration that Sweeney had no time to prepare his defence, being arrested only a few hours before the Court sat, he will recommend a mitigation of the sentence.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Patrick Sweeney was convicted at Rathdowney petty sessions in July last, of having assaulted a sergeant of the Royal Irish Constabulary while in the execution of his duty, by striking him on the head with a heavy club, and the sentence mentioned in the Question was imposed. He appealed to Quarter Sessions, but the Court decided that they had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal as the necessary notice had not been served. It is not within my province to advise the Lord-Lieutenant in his exercise of the clemency of the Crown, or to make any recommendation to His Excellency on the subject. I understand that the Lord-Lieutenant has already carefully considered a memorial sent to him by the prisoner, and has decided that the law must take its course.