§ MR. ERRINGTON (for Mr. MOORE)asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is true that two dangerous lunatics named George and Owen Doherty are still at large in the neighbourhood of Carndonagh and county of Donegal, in spite of the earnest remonstrances of the inhabitants of the district; and, whether the Government intend to take any further notice of the Memorial ad-dressed to them on the subject?
SIR MICHAEL-HICKS-BEACHSir, the names of the persons to whom the Question relates are John and George Doherty. Both have recently been in-mates of Letterkenny Lunatic Asylum; one was discharged as of sound mind, the other escaped just before he was about 1030 to be discharged for the same reason, and was permitted to remain at home at the request of his friends. Being again confined, the medical officer reported that he was suffering from over-indulgence in drink rather than from insanity, and he was accordingly discharged. If the inhabitants of the district consider that these persons should not be at large, the proper course would be for them to swear the necessary information before the magistrates, so that the men might be committed as dangerous lunatics; or if they do not answer that description, their families or friends might apply to the Governors of the asylum to admit them as ordinary patients. It does not seem to be within the power of the Government to interfere in the matter, nor do I think that it is their duty to do so.