§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that Mr. E. J. Barrett, postal telegraphist, of Craugh- 477 well, county Galway, has been confined in Galway Gaol for over twelve months, while another man from the same place, arrested on a similar charge, was released in March last, and if the Lord Lieutenant was aware of this when he re-considered Mr. Barrett's case; if he can state whether there is any reason for the continued detention of the brother of the above, Mr. M. J. Barrett, who is confined in Naas Gaol; and, whether he is aware that both brothers were the sole support of their aged parents?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, with regard to the case of Mr. E. J. Barrett, I beg to say that His Excellency reconsidered the case on the 3rd instant, when he decided that he could not at present order his release. Every case must be decided on its own merits, and must be considered by itself. There is no such person as M. J. Barrett in custody under the Protection Act. There is a Nicholas Barrett in custody in Naas Gaol. He is a brother of Edward Barrett, and his case is about to be reconsidered very shortly. I have not been informed whether these men were the sole support of their parents.