HC Deb 08 May 1884 vol 287 c1683
MR. DEASY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that a prisoner named Sullivan, who is alleged to have been stabbed and beaten by the police, was committed by Mr. Mitchell, R.M., on remand, to the Cork Male Prison, and was subsequently transferred from the prison to the Cork Workhouse Hospital for treatment; whether a prisoner named Leahy was also recently transferred from the same prison to the workhouse hospital; whether the Government will recoup the ratepayers of the Cork Union for the support and maintenance of such prisoners; whether the gaol authorities cease to have control over prisoners so transferred; and, why they are not treated in the gaol hospital?

MR. TREVELYAN

I am not aware who made the allegation to which the hon. Member refers, that Sullivan was stabbed and beaten by the police; but I am informed that the statement is the opposite of the fact. The police were attacked and assaulted by Sullivan, who was remanded in custody, and while trying to escape from arrest fell down and hurt himself on board a ship. On account of this circumstance, the Resident Magistrate admitted him to bail pending his trial. The Governor of the prison states that it is not the case that either Sullivan, or any prisoner named Leahy, was transferred to the Union hospital from the prison, and that all prisoners, when ill, are treated in the prison hospital. I am advised that there is no ground upon which the Government could be called upon to recoup to the ratepayers any portion of the cost of maintenance incurred in the case of Sullivan.