§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state whether in the civil action brought by the Cavan County Council against the Hon. H. E. Maxwell, high sheriff, and John Mills, court-keeper, in the year 1910, to recover possession of Cootehill Bridewell, any of the Irish Law Officers gave any instructions or advice to either of the defendants, or any person acting on their behalf; whether there was, or is, any understanding that the legal expenses of the defendants would be paid from public 1661W funds; and whether any part of the expenses of the defendants have been paid by the Irish Government?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Irish Law Officers gave no instructions or advice to the defendants referred to, or to anyone acting on their behalf. It was, however, pointed out to the High Sheriff that, as the legal custodian of the Cootehill Bridewell it was his duty to defend the possession of the Bridewell which was believed to be part of the courthouse premises, and which, indeed, at the Cavan Assizes, in July, 1909, had, in a similar case, been held to be so, in a judgment by the late Lord Justice FitzGibbon. There was, during the litigation, no understanding that the legal expenses of the defendants would be paid from the public funds, but since the termination of the action the Government has agreed to pay them.