HC Deb 07 August 1882 vol 273 cc953-4
MR. REDMOND (for Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If there be any reason for the further detention of Patrick Curley and his son John Curley, the one confined in Naas and the other in Kilmainham Gaol, since the 27th January; and, whether Patrick Curley is not an old man seventy years of age, and disabled?

MR. TREVELYAN

The cases of both these men were considered on the 28th ultimo, when His Excellency decided that they should be detained, for the present. Patrick Curley is reported to be 50 years of age; I have no information about his being disabled.

MR. REDMOND (for Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the time has arrived for the release of Thomas and James Morrissey, who have now been subjected to a lengthened period of imprisonment?

MR. TREVELYAN

There is no person named James Morrissey in custody. Thomas and Patrick Morrissey are in custody on reasonable suspicion of being accessory to murder. Their cases will come up for reconsideration on the 15th instant, and meanwhile they cannot be released.

MR. REDMOND (for Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will cause particular inquiry to be made into the case of James M'Dermott, now detained in Kilmainham Prison, and arrested with twenty-two others on the 4th of July in Loughrea; and, whether, Mr. M'Dermott, being a newspaper correspondent, there is any truth in the prevalent opinion in his district that he owes his arrest to his supposed exposure in the local press of police misconduct?

MR. TREVELYAN

His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant examined into this case, and was satisfied that sufficient grounds existed for the arrest of James M'Dermott as being reasonably suspected of being accessory to murder. There is no ground for the idea that his arrest was in any way owing to the fact of his being a newspaper correspondent.