§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the further inquiries he proposed to make, Whether he can now state the decision of His Excellency in the cases of Miss Hogan, Miss O'Neill, and Mrs. Hanlon, imprisoned in Tralee Gaol under the statute of Edward III.; and, what has been the result of his inquiries respect- 1955 ing the allegations put forward in the Question of the 26th ultimo?
§ MR. TREVELYANHis Excellency is still considering the matter of the release of these ladies. With regard to the latter portion of the Question, I find that the arrangement for the reception of visitors to prisoners in Tralee Gaol is that which existed under the late Board of Superintendence, and is as follows:—The visitor is between two gates, under cover, with a form to sit on, while the prisoner is at a distance of 11 feet, and in the open air. It is not the case that visits are interrupted by other prisoners or officers passing through the gates, and over precaution is taken to prevent any such interruption. It is in accordance with the Prison Rules that the female prisoners referred to in the Question have not been allowed to communicate with each other except in the presence of their solicitor or the matron. I may add that the existing arrangements for the reception of visitors are at present under the consideration of the Prisons Board, with a view to improvements being carried out, which certainly seem to me to be called for.