§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that there are still several American citizens confined under the Protection of Person and Property Act of 188l; whether many of them have been now detained over twelve months; whether it is the intention of the Government to try them for the offences of which they have been "suspected;" and, whether Mr. Henry O'Mahony, of Ballydehobb, county Cork, who was arrested on the 4th June 1881, has yet been released; and, if not, whether, considering the length of his imprisonment, the Lord Lieutenant can order his discharge?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, there are some persons who are American citizens still detained under the Protection of Person and Property Act, one of whom—Daniel M'Sweeney—has been so detained for over 12 months. His Excellency has caused it to be intimated to these prisoners that he is ready to order their release on condition of their leaving the country; but he cannot, consis- 1083 tently with his duty, allow them to be at large in Ireland at present. It is not intended to put them on their trial. These remarks also apply to the case of Mr. Henry O'Mahony, who was rearrested on the 10th of December, 1881. He had, during his first detention, been nearly four months in custody.