§ MR. SEXTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mrs. Kelly, the tenant of the Clongorey holding referred to in the order of committal issued by the County Court Judge of Kildare, has been released from prison by the Executive; whether Mrs. Morrissey, a person not the tenant of holding, is still in prison, with her infant, one month old; and whether the Executive have resolved that this imprisonment shall continue?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs already stated in reply to a former question, Mrs. O'Kelly was discharged from custody on medical grounds. Mrs. Morrissey is still confined in prison with her infant. The Executive Government have no control in the matter. The woman is in custody by order of the County Court Judge, and can obtain her release at any moment by purging her contempt.
§ MR. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the husband of Mrs. Morrissey is in prison also; and does he contend that this woman and her infant had any control over the farm?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not sufficiently acquainted with the case to answer the question. Mrs. Kelly was released from custody on medical grounds on the approval of the committing Judge. If medical grounds can be urged in the case of Mrs. Morrissey, I have no doubt that she will be discharged also.
§ MR. SEXTONAs the husband, who is the only person to control her, is in prison, is it not the imperative duty of the right hon. Gentleman to ascertain whether there has not been an abuse of authority?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have already said that the Government cannot interfere.
§ MR. SEXTONThen I will endeavour to press the question upon the attention of the House before the adjournment for Easter.