§ Mr. AUGUSTINE ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that in twenty-five cases at the recent Louth Assizes, in which persons were charged with corrupt and illegal practices at the last North Louth election, the trials were adjourned on the application of counsel for the Crown, and without any previous notice to the persons charged or their advisers; whether he is aware that one of the results of such adjournment, which was granted after considerable expense had been incurred by the accused in payments to counsel and otherwise in preparation for their defence, will be to compel them to incur all such expense afresh, though many of them are poor men; and whether, under these circumstances, he proposes to take any, and, if so, what, steps to prevent such avoidable oppression?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI am informed that the cases referred to in which bills of indictment were found by the Grand Jury were adjourned on the application of the Crown made on the ground that a fair and impartial trial could not be had at the Assizes. Notice of the application was given at the first possible moment, namely, when the bills were found by the Grand Jury. The application was unavoidable on the part of the Crown, and the course taken was the usual and proper one. There is no foundation for the suggestion that the proceeding was either harsh or unfair.
§ Mr. CLANCYIs it not the usual practice, when an application of this kind for adjournment has to be made, to give private notice to the persons concerned for the defence, although notice cannot be formally given?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHNotice was given at the first possible moment.
§ Mr. CLANCYThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the question I put to him. Under the circumstances mentioned here is it not the usual practice to give private notice to the persons concerned for the defence, and that not having been done has not an injustice been inflicted on these persons?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHNotice could not be given until Bills were found by the Grand Jury, and immediately Bills were found notice was given.
§ Mr. CLANCYThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the question. Perhaps he does not understand it, and, if I am not trespassing on the time of the House, I will ask it again.
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the hon. Member will put it down. It is evident the hon. Gentleman who has undertaken to reply cannot be expected to know.