§ MR. DILLWYNasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the statement made in the London letter of the "Newcastle Daily Chronicle" of March 10th, that two of the prisoners arrested under the Protection of Person and Property (Ireland) Act were taken to Dublin Gaol in irons is correct; and, if so, whether he will give instructions forbidding the use of irons except in cases when the authorities have reason to believe escape or rescue are meditated?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERIn reference to the first part of the hon. Member's Question, I have to state that the facts 1056 of the case to which it refers are as follows:—Two persons were arrested under the provisions of the Protection of Person and Property Act, and, whilst being conveyed to Dublin, were handcuffed. The handcuffs were, however, taken off after the party had proceeded five miles from the place where the men were arrested. It appears that some persons had recently escaped from that district, and the police considered that it would have been dangerous to act otherwise. With regard to the further Question of the hon. Member, I may state that instructions have been given to the police authorities to subject persons who may be arrested to as little indignity as possible, consistently with their safe custody, and particular directions have been given not to use handcuffs unless there is danger of an escape or of a rescue.