HC Deb 18 December 1888 vol 332 cc637-9
MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to an interview reported in The Freeman's Journal of Friday, December 14, between a representative of that journal and Mr. Thomas Moroney, in which the following passages occur:— In a conversation with a representative of The Freeman Mr. Moroney recounted a number of incidents of his imprisonment. As far as appearance goes his sturdy frame shows no signs of being affected by the prison treatment. His hair, however, is much greyer than it was on the morning when he stood in the Bankruptcy Court. His mental vigour seems unimpaired, and listening to his conversation, sometimes vigorous, always clear and interesting, the cruelty of the statements made as to the state of his mind must strike every one: He was several times examined by medical men, Dr. Carte, Dr. O'Farrell, Dr. Connolly Norman, and he appears to have had a lot of quiet fun with them with reference to his alleged weakness of intellect: and, if the report of the medical men concerning Moroney can be laid upon the Table of the House?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

It is the fact that The Freeman's Journal gave a report of an interview between Mr. Moroney and their representative in the terms the hon. Gentleman has quoted. It is also true that the statement which is described as "cruel" was one constantly made on behalf of Mr. Moroney by Mr. Moroney's friends; and it is an amusing commentary, perhaps, on some of the debates we have had in this House. With regard to the Medical Reports, I have already shown them to one hon. Member, and if any other hon. Member wishes to see them, I shall be happy to show them to him.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked, Whether the statements referred to as "cruel" might not well and honestly have been made upon a perusal of the very Reports supplied to the right hon. Gentleman?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not think the Reports bear out the epithet; but I do not desire to cast the least imputatation on any hon. Member. I only say that the report of this interview is an amusing commentary on the statements that were made.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

With reference to the imputation which the right hon. Gentleman, whatever may be his desire, has thrown upon hon. Members of this House, I wish to ask him whether the statements described here as "cruel" were founded, not on the personal knowledge of the hon. Gentleman who made them, but on the Medical Reports supplied to the right hon. Gentleman?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No; I think not. I understand that many hon. Gentlemen visited Moroney in prison, and the statement made to the House was based on those visits.

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House the various Medical Reports supplied to him?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

inquired, Whether the hon. Member for Cork, who in seconding the Motion of the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Bradlaugh), did not make these ghastly statements?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!