I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can state why the men arrested in connection with the assault case at Vernersbridge, county Armagh, have not been allowed out on bail, seeing that the doctor of one of the assaulted men has certified that his life is not in danger; and whether he will give directions for their immediate release.

The police report that of the six men arrested in connection with the assault case at Vernersbridge, three, against whom no serious overt act was proved, were admitted to bail, but that the other three were remanded in custody, as they were believed to be the chief assailants of the injured men. The local doctor certified that the life of one of the injured men was not in immediate danger, but, notwithstanding this the magistrates did not feel themselves justified in accepting bail for their appearance at the subsequent hearing, and they were remanded in custody until the 22nd instant. The remand expires this day, and now that the medical reports are more favourable, it is very probable that the magistrates will accept bail. They, however, have the responsibility of deciding the question. 1 have no power to give directions to them, and without a more intimate acquaintance with the facts than I at present possess, would not attempt to interfere with their discretion.