§ MR. MURPHY (Dublin, St. Patrick's)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Michael Spillane has been confined in Kilmainham Gaol since the 19th January, 1886, when he was committed by Judge Boyd for unsatisfactory answering in the Bankruptcy Court; whether all his assets were subsequently realized, and the entire proceeds handed over to the Court; whether his wife, a fortnight after her confinement, and nine children, the eldest under 15 years of age, were turned out of their house and obliged to take refuge in the Killarney Workhouse, where they still remain; whether, in a Return recently presented to Parliament, the medical officer of the gaol reports that this man has a serious cardiac affection; and, whether, considering the punishment already inflicted on Spillane, he will make representations in the proper quarter with a view of obtaining his release from prison?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. HOLMES) (Dublin University)(who replied) said, Spillane had been committed by Judge Boyd under the circumstances stated. He had no means of ascertaining whether the statements in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Question were correct or not. A Report had been received from the medical officer of the prison that the man was suffering from a cardiac affection, and that Report had been forwarded to the learned Judge.
§ DR. KENNY (Cork, S.)asked, would the Government take immediate steps to have the man liberated?
§ MR. HOLMESsaid, the Report of the medical officer had been seat to the 708 learned Judge by that evening's post, and the Government could not do anything beyond that.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked, wore periodical Reports not made in regard to prisoners of this description?
§ MR. HOLMESsaid, if the hon. Member wanted an answer to that Question he should put it on the Paper, as he (Mr. Holmes) was not acquainted with the procedure of the prison in the matter.