§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, What are the reasons which justified the removal of Captain Dunne from the Governorship of Castlebar Gaol; whether Captain Dunne's removal to Nenagh Prison from Castlebar was founded on the use of water which he had several times reported as insufficient and impure; whether Nenagh Prison was closed six months after Captain Dunne's appointment; 604 whether several vacancies have since occurred in the prison service, without his receiving an appointment; whether the Government have given up all idea of offering Captain Dunne further employment; and, whether the sum of £100 awarded to him by the Treasury can in any way be considered an adequate recompense for his loss of public employment?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)Unfortunately, the Papers are with the Prisons Commission, and I have not had time to obtain a full Report. The immediate cause of Captain Dunne's removal from Castlebar was the opening by him of a long-disused well without the knowledge of the medical officer, which led to an outbreak of fever. Nenagh Prison was closed some short time after Captain Dunne's appointment. I am not aware of any vacancies having since occurred in the prison service. The tendency is rather to a diminution of vacancies. I cannot hold out any hope of his being re-employed in the service. He would have been entitled, in the usual course, to two months' pay, £36; but the Treasury awarded him £100 as a gratuity. They expressed an opinion, at the time, that they would not be justified in increasing it.