HC Deb 18 February 1881 vol 258 c1232
MR. DILLON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that on January 22 a number of men were returned for trial by the Thurles bench of magistrates, on a charge of having "walked in procession round a piece of grazing ground;" whether bail was refused; whether these men were removed to Nenagh Gaol handcuffed in pairs; whether they were kept without food from early on Monday morning till the following morning, and wore then informed that they would not breakfast till they worked for it; whether, on their refusal to work, they were kept fasting till midday; whether they can see their friends only through an iron gate, and are held during the interview by two warders; whether they are allowed only one hourfor exercise during the day, and are threatened with the black hole if they speak to or even smile at each other; whether he will order a sworn investigation into this case; and, if he find that the facts are as above stated, whether he will mark his disapproval of these proceedings, and give adequate compensation to the sufferers?

MR. W. E. FORSTER,

in reply, said, that he had not received sufficient Notice of the Question, and would require it to be deferred.