§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why Mr. John Q. Regan, who is undergoing six months' hard labour under the Crimes Act for writing a threatening letter, was refused permission to receive the visit of Mr. Ridington on or about the 12th instant; whether Mr. Regan was convicted on the 7th of May; whether he is not entitled by law to receive a visit; and, whether the state of Mr. Regan's health renders his further detention dangerous to his life?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, Regan was convicted on the date mentioned, and would have been entitled to receive a visit on the 8th of this month if his conduct in prison had been good; but, owing to misconduct, he lost marks, and was not entitled to receive a visit when Mr. Ridington called. The state of his health is not such as to render further detention dangerous to his health. I have in my hand a joint certificate from the two medical officers of the prison, dated the 17th instant, in which they state that they have carefully examined the prisoner and found him in good health.
§ MR. HARRINGTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the result of those marks will not be that, while he is in prison, Regan cannot receive a visit?
§ MR. TREVELYANI do not know how long a time it will be during which he will be deprived of visits.
§ MR. O'KELLYWhat was the conduct for which the man was deprived of visits?
§ MR. TREVELYANI got a telegram describing his offences to be eight or nine, principally disobeying orders and idleness in performing tasks.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can explain why the Governor of the prison informed Mr. Ridington, on the 10th August, that he could not give permission for a visit to Regan, because the time entitling him to a visit had not 1333 expired; and why the Governor had not then given any other reason?
§ MR. TREVELYANI cannot know all those details. I answered the Question on the Paper and stated facts.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORBut I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman on this question some days ago, and he promised to make inquiry.
§ MR. TREVELYANI did make inquiry. These facts are the result.