§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that William Hastings, of Ballinasloe, was convicted early this year of acting as an urban district councillor of Ballinasloe when disqualified, and fined £5 for the offence, which was confirmed on appeal by the Recorder of Gal-way; whether, on 8th April last, he was again prosecuted and fined £5 or in default two months' imprisonment for a similar offence, which conviction the King's Bench refused on quo warranto to quash; whether the warrants in each case were placed in the hands of the police for execution months ago and no return has yet been made to either warrant; and will he now direct the execution of these warrants forthwith with a view to the due administration of the law by the police in this case?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYMr. William Hastings was fined one guinea on 18th February last for acting as district councillor while disqualified. The conviction was confirmed by the county court judge, and the amount of the fine, with costs, was paid by Mr. Hastings. On 8th April he was again prosecuted for two similar offences, and fined in sums of 10s. 6d. and £5 respectively. He appealed to Quarter Sessions against the latter conviction, but did not prosecute the appeal. When the warrant for levying the fine was received by the police, Mr. Hastings was proceeding in the King's Bench Division to have all the convictions against him quashed. In these proceedings he failed, and he then forwarded a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant praying for a remission of the fine. This memorial is at present under consideration, and the execution of the warrant is suspended until His Excellency's decision is announced.