§ MR. A. M. SULLIVANasked a Question relating to a telegram he had only received a few moments before, in consequence of which he was unable to give Notice. Two young men belonging to his constituency of Meath had been arrested under the Coercion Act, and detained in Dundalk Prison. They were the only sons of their father, who, on parting from them, declared he should never see them alive again. The telegram he had now received was— 1966
Our father died yesterday morning. There is no one at home but mother and our two young sisters. We wired the Chief Secretary for permission to attend the funeral. He has replied it will not be granted. When we were arrested our father said he should never see us again, and his death has been hastened by our arrests. Do, please, ask for our permission to see him laid in the grave.He knew those young men, and had referred to them before as being as respectable young men as any in the county, and he appealed to the right hon. Gentleman to grant them permission to attend the funeral. There were others, some of the most respectable men in the county, who would be glad to take their place in prison whilst they were allowed to attend the funeral.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, that before the hon. and learned Member asked the Question he had heard of the painful position of these young men. The matter was rather a difficult one; but, upon the whole, he thought it right to send a telegram saying that they should be allowed to attend the funeral of their father, and expressing the hope that their release would not lead to any bad behaviour.
§ MR. A. M. SULLIVANI thank the right hon. Gentleman.