§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has ascertained that at the instance of "suspects" confined in Dundalk Gaol in 1881 a Prisons Board Inquiry was held, and the prisoners were permitted to be present at the examination of the officials and to cross-examine them; and whether this precedent will be applied to the case of the inquiry into the prison treatment of Mr. William O'Brien?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe General Prisons Board report that it is the case that an inquiry was held at Dundalk Prison in December, 1881, into various complaints made by "suspect" prisoners, and that certain of these prisoners were permitted to be present and to cross-examine, but that this would not form a precedent in the case of the inquiry into the prison treatment of Mr. William O'Brien, inasmuch as he was neither the person complained against nor complaining.
§ MR. SEXTONI wish to ask whether this so-called inquiry was closed last Wednesday without calling Dr. Ryan, the Mayor of Clonmel, or any of the Visiting Justices; and whether, in view of the undertaking given by the Chief Secretary that Mr. O'Brien would 724 be called, the opportunity will be given?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMr. O'Brien has been examined. With regard to the other gentlemen, if they can show that they could give any direct evidence bearing on the matter, no doubt they will be examined. As to the Mayor of Clonmel, he has stated in this House that his information has been derived from Mr. O'Brien.
§ MR. SEXTONI wish to ask whether, as the hon. Member the Mayor of Clonmel and Dr. Ryan could give important direct evidence as to the condition in which they found Mr. O'Brien, they will be heard?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am desirous of following precedent; but I am not aware of what the precedent is. If these gentlemen have direct evidence to give, I suppose the Inspector conducting the inquiry will have no objection to hearing it.