26. Mr. GINNELL asked the Chief Secretary whether, at a recent petty sessions at Gorey, a shopkeeper named Kenny was sent to prison for three months for having wrapped parcels of goods for his customers in papers on which certain matter was printed; if so, what was the printed matter; whether the customers objected to it; the names of the magistrates; the law under which that sentence was imposed; and what action the Government propose to take with reference to the sentence?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question, with the exception that Kenny was bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months, or in default sentenced to three months' imprisonment. He gave bail, and accordingly did not go to gaol. The printed matter consisted of handbills of a seditious nature, entitled "Ireland and the War," and the attention of the police was called to their distribution by a customer of Kenny's. The magistrates on the Bench were Viscount Stopford (in the chair), Captain the Honourable H. de Vere Pery (resident magistrate), Messrs. A. Kinsella, P. J. Fanning, E. F. L. Ellis, N. Whitty, H. H. Moore, and Dr. Dwyer, the charge being brought under the Act 34, Edward III., Cap. 1. The Government consider the proceedings in this case entirely proper, and do not propose to take any action in connection with them.