§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen the report of an inquest recently held by the Coroner for North Tipperary on view of the body of John Madden, an inmate of the Cranna Orphanage, near Nenagh in that county; whether his attention has been called to the appalling state of facts in connection with the management of this Institution, and the treatment of the deceased and other children therein disclosed in the evidence given by Mr. J. C. Goring, Miss Farrell, and Dr. Morton of Nenagh; whether this inquest on the boy Madden on the 31st of March was the second within a few weeks held at Cranna Orphanage; whether any Government Inspector visits this or similar Institutions in Ireland; and, if so, when 1325 such official made his last Report, and what was the nature of it; and, whether a full inquiry will be at once instituted, in view of the facts already disclosed as to the treatment of these orphan children? The hon. Gentleman added that some important facts contained in his original Question, which would have enabled the House to understand the matter better, had been left out.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for his courtesy in supplying me with a newspaper report of the proceedings, with regard to which I have no other means of informing myself. I have seen the report that he has been good enough to send me. The Orphanage is not under the control of the Government, nor is it visited by any Government Inspector. I have directed full inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the case; but time has not admitted of my receiving the necessary replies. It appears, however, from the evidence reported in the newspaper that the Trustees of the Institution hold responsible positions, having at their head a very distinguished gentleman, the Very Rev. Dr. Chester, Bishop of Killaloe, and, no doubt, they will take immediate steps to remedy any defects which may exist.