§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that at the Riverstown, county Sligo, petty sessions, held on 12th November, 1908, the magistrates adjudicating, by a large majority, decided to adjourn for three months the cases of a number of persons charged with intimidation; that the majority so deciding was composed of Nationalists and Unionists, one of them being a brother to the lord lieutenant of the county; that such decision was regarded with satisfaction by all creeds and classes as one tending to the promotion of peace and harmony in the district; and whether, seeing that the subsequent decision at the adjourned petty sessions when these cases were dismissed also met with the approval of all parties, and seeing that boycotting has ceased in the locality and that good feeling now prevails, he will consider the advisability of abandoning these prosecutions?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Cherry)The case referred to was adjourned by a majority of the bench of magistrates on 12th November, 1908, as stated in the question. I cannot say what were the politics of any member of this majority, and I cannot agree that the decision was regarded with such general satisfaction as the hon. Member believes 724 to have been the case. My information also, I regret to say, does not agree with his, that boycotting has ceased in the locality, though I am happy to say that it has very much diminished. I cannot, I regret to say, consistently with my duty, adopt the suggestion of abandoning the prosecution altogether.