§ MR. REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that Mr. Hugh Mahon, released unconditionally from Kilmainham Prison on 7th of January last, in consequence of ill health, has been informed by Sub-Inspector Wilson, on behalf of the Government, that unless he at once left the Country he would be re-arrested; whether Mr. Mahon since his release has not been in continued ill health; whether it is true that he has been continually followed by policemen, and hampered thereby in the discharge 632 of his duties as reporter to the "People" newspaper; and, if so, whether these proceedings have his sanction?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that on leaving Kilmainham Prison Mr. Mahon gave an undertaking to the Governor, in the presence of a witness, that he would leave the country at an early date. He was sorry to say that since his release Mr. Mahon's conduct had been such as to leave no alternative to the Government but to re-arrest him, and he need scarcely say that he had not carried out his undertaking. In regard to his present condition, he (Mr. W. E. Forster) understood that he now showed little sign of ill-health—at any rate, he was able to walk seven or eight miles into the country and back again on business connected with the Land League agitation.
§ MR. REDMONDsaid, he was informed that Mr. Mahon gave no promise as to when he would leave the country. He believed, however, that he intended going in a few days. It seemed to him that he was suffering great persecution at the hands of the Government.