County Dublin Grand Jury Act, 1844

Memorial to Court of Queen’s Bench, if sessions refuse to approve of necessary work.

Inquiry for jury.

Grand jury may be directed to present.

Memorialist to deposit a sum as security for costs.

80. In case the justices and cess-payers (at any presenting sessions) shall refuse to approve of any applications made for any public work it shall be lawful for any of the persons who made application at such sessions for such work to present a memorial to the judges of the Court of Queen’s Bench at the presenting term for the county, stating such application, and the disapproval thereof at the presenting sessions, and praying that the judges may direct the grand jury to make a presentment for such work; and such memorial shall be lodged with the secretary of the grand jury at least six days before the first day of such presenting term, and the person presenting such memorial shall also cause to be inserted in some newspaper published or circulated in the county notice of his intention to apply at the next presenting term for such order, and such notice shall be published at least three times before the first day of such presenting term; and upon proof that such memorial and notices were lodged and published as hereby required it shall be lawful for the judges of the Court of Queen’s Bench, or any of them, to cause a jury to be impannelled to try and inquire whether such work is a proper one to be executed, and, if so, to ascertain and state the expence thereof; and if the jury shall find that such work is a proper work to be executed it shall be lawful for the judge, if he shall think fit, to direct the grand jury to present that such work shall be done, either for the sum stated by the jury to be sufficient for the execution thereof, or such lesser sum as they shall think proper, or to refuse to make such presentment: Provided always, that no such memorial shall be proceeded upon unless the memorialist shall, at the time of lodging such memorial with the secretary, deposit with him the sum of twenty pounds as a security for such costs and expences as the judge shall direct to be paid thereout to any person or persons who may appear to oppose such application, or any witness summoned to attend on the hearing of the application.