Dublin Evening Post, 2 Jun 1796
"TRIAL OF THEOPHILUS SWIFT, Esq, FOR AN ALLEDGED LIBEL OF THE FELLOWS OF TRINITY COLLEGE
"..........
The Rev Gerald Fitzgerald was next sworn, and having been examined by the prosecutor's council, was asked by Councillor Fletcher on the part of the defendant, what his opinion was respecting the propriety, according to the Statute Laws of the University, of Fellows marrying? - To the question Mr Fitzgerald declined to answer on the grounds it might criminate himself, and on Mr Curran's, who was Council for the Fellows of T.C having objected to that claim of evidence, it was overruled by the Court, which gave as its opinion that Mr Fitzgerald should answer the questions which should be put to him. On this decision of the Court, Councillor Barrington, for the defendant, plied him very closely, Mr Fitzgerald said, at length that it was a negative Statute, and little, or not, in operation."
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