HC Deb 14 August 1890 vol 348 cc983-4
MR. P. O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Captain R. Tenson Rye, Deputy Lieutenant for Cork County, has been discharged from Cork Gaol, where he has been confined for unlawfully shooting a tenant; and what reasons are given by the Prison Authorities for discharging the prisoner in question?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The conviction against Captain Rye was for unlawfully wounding. He is considerably advanced in years, and the condition of his health in prison becoming serious a consultation of three doctors, including the medical member of the General Prisons Board, was held. They reported that further confinement would endanger his life. He was accordingly discharged from custody by direction of the Lords Justices.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Has the prison doctor, who gave this certificate, ever advised the release of prisoners under the Coercion Act?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member must know that many such prisoners have been released.