Captain COOPERasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he was aware that a Mr. Morrin, president of the local branch of the United Irish League and a justice of the peace, ordered certain persons to graze their cattle on the lands of Mr. John O'Hara; and whether he would bring the action of this magistrate to the notice of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland? I regret that owing to a clerical error the name of the place is not given in the question. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes I shall be glad to postpone it, and supply further details.
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)No; the Attorney-General has asked me to answer the question in the following manner: From the information supplied to him, consisting merely of hearsay statements, my right hon. Friend is unable to form a conclusion as to whether or not the magistrate referred to did in fact give the direction indicated in the question. It is not his intention to bring the matter to the notice of the Lord Chancellor.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo. So far as I am concerned, on the facts proved I either hold my tongue or speak.