§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that at Toxford, county Mayo, petty sessions, on 11th May, 1911, informations were refused in a case in which Joseph Conroy and John Conroy were charged with criminal conspiracy in connection with the threatened eviction of a widow and her five children; that the accused have since been served with notices that the Crown intend to present an indictment against them to the grand jury at the next Mayo assizes, and can he say by whose direction this course was taken; whether the accused have now been notified by the Crown solicitor for Mayo that in the event of a bill of indictment being found against them by the grand jury the Crown will move for an adjournment of the case; can he state why the Crown has decided not to proceed with the case at the next Mayo assizes; is a change of venue contemplated, and, if so, upon what grounds do the Crown contend that a true verdict would not be obtained from the jurors of Mayo; and in case of a change of venue will the accused and their witnesses be brought to the place of trial at the expense of the Crown?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHMy right hon. Friend is informed that a bill of indictment will be presented at the assizes by the direction of the Attorney-General. In the event of its being found an application will be made to have the trial adjourned, but, pending the hearing of the motion in court it would not be proper or expedient to discuss the grounds of the application. If the trial takes place at the winter assizes, the expenses will be regulated by the Winter Assize Order, but no general undertaking in the matter can be given at this stage.