§ 59. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mr. Justice Gibson attended to open Waterford City Assizes on 6th July, when only 2383 nine grand jurors answered their names; that each juror summoned to attend had received a notice, signed by the competent military authority, Irish Republican Army, warning him that if he attended he would do so at the peril of his life; that the learned judge fined each absent grand juror £100, to be exacted if the executive feel the enormous importance of asserting the authority of the law; and will he state what protection the executive has extended to the law-abiding citizens of Waterford in the past to justify these fines being exacted?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hamar Greenwood)The facts are substantially as stated in the question. Only nine grand jurors of the city answered their names, and the rest, many of whom reside a short distance from the Courthouse, did not attend. The county grand jurors, most of whom live at considerable distances, attended. The amount of the fines and the circumstances under which they were imposed were matters for the learned judge. A considerable force of military as well as police is stationed in Waterford, and special steps were taken to protect the Courthouse and those attending the same.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether these fines are to be imposed?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThese fines, following the dictum of the Judge, will be imposed.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhy is not martial law proclaimed in districts where the ordinary law of the land has long ceased to operate?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.