§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If it is a fact that the portion of Dundalk Gaol in which the suspects are confined consists of a long corridor with cells on each side; whether there is a warder on duty in this corridor from 5.45 p.m. till 8 a.m.; whether a suspect prisoner is prevented from passing from his cell into the adjuncts of the corridor, and is refused even a drink of water between the hours named, though an ample supply of drinking water is within reach of the warder; and, whether such regulations are reasonably necessary for the security of the prisoners?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)The description given in the Question of the construction of this portion of Dundalk Prison is correct, and warders are on duty in this corridor the entire day and night. Prisoners detained under the Protection of Person and Property Act are let out of their cells at any time when necessary on their ringing for the warder on duty. They have a sufficient supply of drinking water placed in the cells, and on no occasion has any prisoner been refused a drink of water. These regulations of the prison are reasonably necessary for the security of the prisoners.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked whether, if he substantiated his statement, the grievances complained of would be removed?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON:)If the hon. Member will communicate with the Chief Secretary I am perfectly sure that any regulation which is unnecessarily stringent will be at once relaxed.