MR. SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, What are the present arrangements as to a Medical Officer at Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin; if the position is vacant—Whether anyone and whom has been recommended by the Prison Board; and, is it true a prisoner died in the gaol within the past month whom the Medical Officer was not able to attend?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, the post of medical officer at Kilmainham Gaol is now vacant, the duties being temporarily discharged by an acting visiting medical officer. No successor has as yet been recommended by the Prisons Board. I cannot find that any prisoner died 8 under the circumstances indicated by the hon. Gentleman. What may, perhaps, have led to such a report is that a prisoner was taken suddenly ill on the night of the 24th of February, when a neighbouring doctor—the nearest to the prison—was at once called in, instead of waiting till the medical officer of the gaol could be procured. The man died the following day, previous to which he was visited by the gentleman who was temporarily performing the duty.