HC Deb 15 June 1882 vol 270 cc1242-4
SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any, and, if any, what security was taken from the following suspects on their release from imprisonment on reasonable suspicion of having committed crimes of violence; and, if no security was taken, whether the reasonable suspicion was proved to be unreasonable?—

Name of Prisoner. Prison. Ground stated for his Arrest in the Warrant. Reasonably suspected of
Thomas Winterscahill. Galway Assaulting dwelling houses and assaulting and robbing persons therein by night.
Patrick Quinlan Limerick Assaulting and wounding a person by night.
William Quinlan Limerick Assaulting and wounding a person by night.
Patrick Murphy Naas Arson.
John Ryan Dundalk Murder.
Michael Walsh Galway Shooting with intent to murder.
Martin Kearney Monaghan Maiming cattle.
Bernard Molloy Armagh Arson.
James Leavey Enniskillen. Arson.
Michael M'Queeny Enniskillen. Murder.
Edmund Stewart Clonmel Shooting and wounding.
Patrick Gallogly Monaghan Breaking into houses by night and assaulting persons therein.
Patrick Beirne Monaghan Breaking into houses by night and assaulting persons therein.
John Sheridan Monaghan Breaking into houses by night and assaulting persons therein.
Rodger Brien Monaghan Assaulting a dwelling house by night.
Cornelius Kelleher Monaghan Attacking and injuring a dwelling house.

MR. TREVELYAN

If the hon. Baronet will consult the Protection of Person and Property Act, he will find that it does not empower the Lord Lieutenant to require a prisoner on release to give any security for his future good behaviour. His Excellency, however, authorizes me to say that in each of the cases referred to in this Question he caused inquiry to be made whether the prisoners could be released without danger to the peace of the district, and based his decision in each case upon a consideration of the result of such inquiry and of all the other circumstances. The hon. Member must remember that these people were never tried, and that there is no public record of the extent to which they were suspected or had participated in the offences which are opposite their names; and it may be that in some instances there were no grounds for the suspicion.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked whether an undertaking had not been given by the Chief Secretary for Ireland or his Predecessor that persons imprisoned on suspicion of crimes of violence would not be released without being brought to trial?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

wished to know whether it was not a fact that a pledge was given by the Predecessor of the Chief Secretary for Ireland that no man should be imprisoned under the Protection of Person and Property Act except on such grounds as would, in the opinion of the Government, have secured a conviction before an impartial jury?

MR. HEALY

asked whether the Chief Secretary for Ireland would have any objection to put into the form of a Parliamentary Paper the grounds on which the suspicion of His Excellency was founded?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I can answer no Question as to the discretion of the Lord Lieutenant except in the most general terms. As to whether any pledge was given by my Predecessor, that is a serious question, and one which I cannot answer without Notice.

MR. BRODRICK

inquired whether the depositions made previous to the imprisonment of each "suspect" would be produced?

[No answer was given.]