HC Deb 08 May 1891 vol 353 cc427-8

On the Motion for Adjournment,

(12.21.) MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

I beg to renew my protest against the treatment of Mr. John Cullinane of Bansha, who, after serving his six months' imprisonment for an offence under the Crimes Act, is found to be suffering from typhoid fever, and cannot return to his home. It was said by the Government on a former occasion that he is suffering from influenza, but that is not the case. He is suffering from prison fever, due to his prison treatment. I know no more lamentable case than this. His illness is due to the bad drainage of the prison; and I must denounce in the strongest possible terms the attempt of the prison doctor to disguise the fact that Mr. Cullinane had been attacked by typhoid fever. The doctor must have been able to tell from his temperature what was the nature of the illness. Every effort has been made to conceal the facts of this case. The Prisons Board have not replied to the most pertinent of the questions we have addressed to the Chief Secretary. This man was an honest honourable man, whose only crime was that he had stood up for his fellow citizens against an abominable oppression. For that he got six months severe prison treatment. He was removed from Clonmel to Tullamore because the Government knew they could rely on the officials there to make the imprisonment as arduous as possible. The officials have been chosen for that very reason, and now that the man has finished his term he is still kept in the squalid, inhospitable prison hospital, under a surgeon who has deceived the House as to the nature of his illness. If that surgeon had had the least humanity in his composition he, knowing the nature of the illness, might have secured Mr. Cullinane's release three days before the end of his sentence, and enabled him to be placed under the care of his friends. If, in consequence of your hang-dog treatment, he dies, then the sin of assassination will rest upon your shoulders. I hope earnestly he may regain his health and vigour, but if he does not he will have cast upon your prison policy a very deep stigma of shame.

(12.27.) MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

With regard to this case, I have had some experience of the treatment of prisoners in Tullamore Gaol, and I know how abominable it is. I have in my memory now a case in which a man was literally done to death.

MR. J. M'CARTHY (Londonderry)

I hope the hon. and learned Gentleman will tell us whether there is now any doubt as to the nature of the disease from which this unfortunate man and other prisoners as well are suffering.

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

We have no notice of that question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I have asked it every day.

MR. MADDEN

The Chief Secretary has answered, and will be prepared to answer, all questions on the subject. It would appear that the doctor did mistake the earlier symptoms of typhoid fever for those of influenza. It was an unfortunate mistake, but it cannot be alleged that inaccurate information has been wilfully given.

(12.30.) MR. KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)

Is it a fact there are seven or eight persons in Tullamore Gaol suffering from typhoid fever?

MR. MADDEN

At the time we heard that Mr. Cullinane was attacked as supposed by influenza we were told that other persons were suffering similarly. I cannot say whether a similar mistake was made in their case.

(12.31.) MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny,S.)

Is it true that that portion of the gaol in which Mr. Cullinane was attacked is allotted mainly to Crimes Act prisoners?

MR. MADDEN

I must ask for notice of that question.

House adjourned at half after Twelve o'clock till Monday next.