The “Dublin Gazette” published a proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council in Ireland last night, announcing the revocation of summary jurisdiction powers granted to magistrates under Section 2 of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act (1887) in certain areas. This change affects the county boroughs of Dublin, Waterford, and Limerick, as well as various rural districts in Cavan, King’s County, Longford, Queen’s County, Westmeath, Cork, Waterford, Galway, Leitrim, and Mayo. The move is believed to signal a shift in government policy towards Ireland.

Six of these districts were proclaimed under the Coercion Acts last April, with the remaining districts added in September. Sections 3 and 4 of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, which relate to trial by special jury and charge of venue, remain intact and continue to be enforced in a significant portion of Ireland.

The proclamation aims to ease tensions between the Irish population and the government by scaling back some of the coercive measures previously enacted to maintain law and order. The decision to revoke summary jurisdiction powers—where magistrates have the authority to impose sentences without jury trials—may be seen as a step towards further democratization and a fairer judicial process throughout Ireland.

Morning Leader – Tuesday 03 February 1903