§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co, Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is true that Mr. James Walsh was arrested, in Queenstown, on the 20th Jun3 last, confined in the police cells for the greater part of the day, and then sent as a prisoner to Cork; whether it is true the prison officials refused to receive him from the police, who then set him at liberty; who is responsible for the arrest; and whether an inquiry will be made into the circumstances of the case?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Constabulary Authorities report that the man was not confined in the police cells at all, and was only detained in the barracks about 10 minutes. He was then sent to Cork, and the prison officials refusing to receive him he was discharged. The ground of the refusal appears to have been that the warrant outstanding against him ill respect of a fine did not contain an alternative term of imprisonment. The arrest was made by Sergeant Shea in the belief that 'the warrant, as is usual in such cases, contained that alternative. The man absconded when the warrant was originally issued in December last.
§ DR. TANNERHow long was Mr. Walsh under arrest?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot answer that question, but he was 1552 apparently detained only for a few minutes.
§ DR. TANNERWas he not arrested in the morning and not taken before a Magistrate until the afternoon?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI gather from the information I have received that that is not correct. He was only detained for 10 minutes.