HC Deb 31 March 1913 vol 51 c44W
Major M'CALMONT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Crown solicitor, who prosecuted members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for riot at Castledawson, at the recent Ulster winter Assizes, was aware before the trial that certain women and children alleged that they had been injured on the occasion of the riot; whether the depositions of these women and children were taken, and whether any of them were called as witnesses at the trial?

Mr. BIRRELL

A list was furnished by the Rev. Robert Barron on 26th November, 1912, as already stated. The prisoners had been committed for trial on the 24th day of July, 1912, and it would not have been possible to take further depositions. None of the persons named in the list were called as witnesses, because in the opinion of the Crown counsel, their evidence was not necessary to sustain the indictment, and all the prisoners referred to in the question who were returned for trial were convicted.