§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that the Crown have recently proceeded against Mr. Martin Finnerty, D.C., county Galway, in consequence of his acting as district councillor after imprisonment; whether he is aware that in the same district Mr. William Hastings, of Ballinasloe, although disqualified, has acted as urban councillor in opposition to the wishes of the majority of the ratepayers; can he state the reason why the Crown took no action against him; and is he aware that the ratepayers were put to expense to prevent him from so acting?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI am aware of the matter stated in the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question. I do not know on what ground the hon. Gentleman states that Mr. William Hastings is disqualified. Though there have been convictions against Mr. Hastings, no sentence of hard labour, I am informed, was imposed on him, and such a sentence, with other matters not arising, is the basis of disqualification under Article 12, Sub-clause 4 (c) of the Schedule to the Application of Enactments Order of 22nd December, 1898.