§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)I beg to ask the Solicitor General for Ireland is it true that Mr. Michael Walsh, who, on uncorroborated testimony which was contradicted by three witnesses, was, on the 12th instant, sentenced at Fermoy by Colonel Long-bourne, R.M., to three months' imprisonment, in default of bail to be of good behaviour, on a charge of saying "Run on you—" to a policeman, was, on arriving in Cork Gaol, stripped of his clothes and had his hair and moustache cut off contrary to the Law applicable to bail prisoners; can he state why this was done, and who is responsible for it; and will any compensation be made to Mr. Walsh?
§ MR. MADDENAs stated in reply to a Question yesterday, the sentence in this case was to find bail for good behaviour, or three months' imprisonment in default of bail. The General Prisons Board report that it is the case that with his own consent the prisoner's moustache was trimmed and his hair also trimmed. He consented to wear the clothes referred to till he had obtained a further supply of linen from his home, as he was told that he should 1757 change his linen every week. This is in accordance with a statement made by the man himself on the subject.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYHave the Prison Authorities any power whatever to do what they did in this case—namely, to compel a bail prisoner to put on the prison dress and to cut off his hair and moustache? Was the man informed that he was not bound to wear the prison clothes, and that there was no power to cut off his hair and moustache? Is it left to the Governor to say what the rules are?
§ MR. MADDENI will make a full inquiry into the facts of the case.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen I will put a further question.