§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the facts of the recent election for petty sessions clerk at Caherciveen; and whether steps will be taken to validate the appointment of the candidate who secured the majority of votes at the hour and place publicly notified for the election?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI have been made aware of the facts of the recent election referred to by the hon. Gentleman. It would not be possible to discuss the details in an answer to a question, but on a full consideration I think the whole proceedings were abortive, and there is to be a fresh election.
§ Mr. BOLANDCan the right hon. Gentleman state why the Chairman of the Petty Sessions of Caherciveen deliberately delayed the meeting for twenty-five minutes, though the election could have taken place?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI understand the postponement was merely for a quarter of an hour pending the arrival of a train conveying magistrates to the meeting.
§ Mr. BOLANDIs it not a fact that if the election had been begun at the time appointed it could have been carried out easily.
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYTo enable magistrates who were to arrive by train to be present the meeting was postponed for a quarter of an hour.
§ Mr. BOLANDIs it not a fact that the postponement was objected to by the majority of the magistrates on this occasion?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYNo; not by the majority; there was an equal number.
§ Mr. BOLANDI will put another question on this subject.