§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it the fact that five warders of Mount-joy Prison were summarily dismissed by the Hon. Charles Bourke because they 625 respectfully protested against being compelled to carry out an order of so indecent and degrading a character that it is impossible publicly to describe it; did Mr. Bourke, immediately after dismissing the five warders, cause the order to be cancelled; did the officers subsequently apply to be reinstated; and, was this refused?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANFive warders were recently dismissed from Mountjoy Prison for refusing to obey an order which the General Prisons Board thought it necessary to issue for the maintenance of order in the prison. The Question of the hon. Member greatly exaggerates the character of the order, and it is not true that it has been cancelled by the Prisons Board, or that they have any intention of cancelling it. The dismissed warders did apply to be reinstated; but the Board report that, having regard to the gravity of the offence and the importance of maintaining disclipine in a large establishment such as Mountjoy, they are unable to accede to the request.
§ MR. HEALYI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is intended to allow this order to remain in force; and whether it exists in other prisons?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI said the Board had no intention of cancelling it.