HC Deb 30 April 1883 vol 278 cc1418-9
MR. HARRINGTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that any official or policeman visited a prisoner named James Kelly in Ballinasloe bridewell on different occasions in the month of February, and was locked into the cell with him, and while there gave him whiskey to drink on each occasion, and solicited certain information from him?

MR. TREVELYAN

James Kelly, Sir, was on one occasion visited in the Bridewell by the Sessional Crown Solicitor, who was accompanied by the prisoner's father. There is not the slightest ground for the suggestion that he was offered whiskey. I have already, in reply to a former Question, distinctly stated he was not visited by a detective.

MR. HARRINGTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether he has asked any question on this subject of James Kelly himself, or whether he will give him an opportunity of making an affidavit in support of the allegation set forth in the Question?

MR. PARNELL

As this is a very serious charge of unlawful interference with an untried prisoner, made by the hon. Member for Westmeath against the prison authorities, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether he will direct an inquiry into the whole circumstances of the case; at which inquiry the statement of the prisoner may be taken as well as the statement of the prison authorities?

[No reply was given to these Questions.]

MR. PARNELL

I shall repeat the Question on Thursday next.