HC Deb 15 June 1888 vol 327 cc256-7
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland a Question of which I have given private notice. It is this—Whether his attention has been directed to the statement made as to 11 prisoners who were arrested under the Coercion Act in Loughrea on the day before yesterday, and detained for one night in the Bridewell. The statement is— That we protest against the treatment that we have received since our arrest. We were taken from our beds at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning and marched to the police barrack, where we were detained until 2 o'clock, when we were taken over to the Petty Sessions Court, and forced to listen to the reading of depositions until 6 o'clock, when our application for bail was refused, and we were committed to Loughrea Bridewell—we consisting of 11 men—where there is only accommodation for three, and where even the beds of these three were almost wet, and quite filthy. In the interests of those who may be committed to gaol we feel bound to make this protest. I wish to know whether there is any truth in this protest; and whether the right hon. Gentleman will undertake to ascertain if there is truth in this statement of treatment, endangering the lives of these men; and, further, I wish to ask him whether he can furnish any information to the House as to a collision which took place yesterday in the town of Loughrea between the people and the police, at which some 30 people are said to have been injured?

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

I only got Notice of the Question when I came down to the House at 2 o'clock. I immediately telegraphed to Dublin; but I have received as yet no information on the subject.

MR. DILLON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any security—as this is a matter which may affect the lives of these men, and as the offence with which they are charged is a trivial one—can he give the House any assurance that, if the facts turn out to be true, he will take some steps to see that these people are not injured?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Of course, Sir, the Irish Government will, in this as in every other case, do all they can to secure the proper treatment of prisoners.