§ MR. SHEEHAN (Kerry, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Thomas Fitzgerald, convicted at the Cork Assizes in December 1885, was found dead in his cell in Mountjoy Prison on the 13th inst.; whether an inquest was held; and, if so, what verdict was given; whether he made any statement shortly before his death relative to his guilt or innocence on the charge for which he was convicted; and, whether it was notorious to the authorities that Fitzgerald was subject to epileptic fits, and if any consequent vigilance was observed in his case during his imprisonment?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)Thomas Fitzgerald was not found dead in his cell at Mountjoy Prison. He died on the 6th instant of typhoid fever in the hospital ward of Maryborough Invalid Prison, to which he had been removed in March last with a view to special attention being given him on account of epileptic fits to which he was subject. An inquest was held, and the verdict was that the cause of death was 979 typhoid fever, the jury adding that they believed that he received all the care and attention necessary for one in his condition. He does not appear to have made any statement as to the charge on which he was convicted.