§ 24. Mr. MULDOONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the conviction of Thomas Feeny, of Ballard, county Cork, by the Recorder and justices sitting at Midleton, for using a gaff in the Coolmahan river; whether the justices at the Petty Sessions dismissed the case; whether the only evidence against the accused was that of a constable who did not get near the person at the river; whether the constable gave a different version of the case before the Recorder to that which he gave before the Petty Sessions Court; and whether, seeing that the accused is a very respectable man, and that several witnesses saw him at divine service at the time the alleged offence was committed, and saw him go to his own home, and that it is well-known to the police and to the local inspector of fisheries that there was a miscarriage of justice in the case, he will say what steps he intends to take to redress the wrong done to this man?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)This matter is at present the subject of inquiry.