HC Deb 24 February 1891 vol 350 cc1472-3
SIR THOMAS ESMONDE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the result of his inquiries as to the condition of health of Messrs. John Dillon and William O'Brien; and whether they have both been removed to the infirmary from the ordinary cells of Galway Gaol?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is true that the two gentlemen are now in the infirmary ward of Galway Gaol, but I believe the Report as to their health is satisfactory.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

Has the doctor made any Report as to the probable effect of their imprisonment?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The medical officer made a Report, and I gather that he anticipates no evil effects from their imprisonment.

MR. SEXTON

Would the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to state the terms of the Report, as the public papers state that their health has broken down?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I can re-assure the hon. Gentleman. A very careful Report has been drawn up by the medical officer, from which it appears that the health of the two gentlemen has not broken down.

MR. SEXTON

What course is it intended to take in regard to the recognisances of Mr. Dillon and Mr. O'Brien?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I suppose the ordinary course of estreating the recognisances.

MR. SEXTON

Why should the recognisances be estreated now that these gentlemen are undergoing their sentences?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN, Dublin University)

The application referred to by the hon. Member related to a case stated on the part of the defendants, and was for the purpose of having this case struck out of the list, on the ground that it was not being duly prosecuted by the defendants.

MR. SEXTON

Do the Government propose to exact the penalty of the recognisances, although the two gentlemen who have been prosecuted are now in gaol?

MR. MADDEN

That is a different question.

MR. J. MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

Will not the effect be that these two gentlemen will have suffered six months' imprisonment and have to pay £2,000 as well?

MR. MADDEN

I merely rose to correct an error into which the hon. Member for Belfast (Mr. Sexton) had fallen, in regard to the case stated. The right hon. Gentleman now asks for further information of a totally different kind.

MR. SEXTON

I will put a further question on Thursday.