HC Deb 31 March 1890 vol 343 cc302-3
MR. THOMAS GILL (Louth, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what have been the costs incurred by the Crown in the various remands of Mr. McDermott, of Clanricarde. including the cest of transporting and escorting him on each occasion from the gaol to the locality in which the secret Court before which he has been summoned has been held?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have already answered this question in reply to a query of the hon. Member for Cork.

MR. GILL

Is not the right hon-Gentleman aware that Mr. McDermott has already been for 10 weeks in gaol, and is he not of opinion that the time has now arrived to grant his release?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am aware that Mr. McDermott is in prison because ho has refused to answer the questions which have been put to him.

MR. GILL

Has he refused to answer any question that may be put to him in open Court, and has he not been brought 10 times from Galway Gaol to Ballenasloe, a distance of 40 miles?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I only know that he is detained in custody because he refuses to give evidence in regard to the commission of an outrage.

MR. GILL

Has he not offered again and again to give evidence in open Court?

[No answer.]