Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary, in connection with the recent Maguiresbridge disturbances, whether his attention has been directed to the action of certain magistrates at Lisnaskea petty sessions, on Saturday, 26th February last, when two Protestants, named John A. Boles and William J. Boyd, were sentenced to two weeks and fourteen days' imprisonment, respectively, the resident magistrate dissenting, while all the cases against Nationalist prisoners were dismissed; whether the majority of the magistrates adjudicating were Nationalists; whether the Sergeant Carroll who gave evidence on behalf of the police against the Protestant prisoners is the same Sergeant Carroll who illegally prevented the flying of a Union Jack in private grounds for which he was convicted and mulcted in damages; whether the Lord Lieutenant has been requested to release Boles and Boyd; whether he has done so; and what further steps it is proposed to take in these cases?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that two persons, named Boles and Boyd, were sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment on 26th February, at the petty sessions named in the question, and that the resident magistrate dissented. I am also informed that on the same occasion cases against certain other defendants were dismissed, and that the resident magistrate concurred in this decision. I am not aware of the political opinions of the majority of the magistrates. Sergeant Carroll gave evidence in the cases. I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member of the result of the sergeant's appeal against the conviction referred to in the question. A Memorial praying for the release of 1622 Boyd and Boles was presented to the Lord Lieutenant on the 7th instant, and His Excellency decided to exercise the prerogative of mercy, and has ordered the discharge of the two prisoners, thereby shortening their sentences by three days. No further action appears to be necessary.