MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is optional with Prison Governors in Ireland to allow or disallow prisoners to give evidence before a Coroner as to the cause of death within the prison and the prison treatment of a fellow-prisoner; and whether there is any precedent for the action of the Governor of Mountjoy Prison in withholding from the Coroner the knowledge that five witnesses were willing to give material evidence as to the cause of the death of the late Mr. P. W. Nally?
§ MR. JACKSONI am informed by the Governor of Mountjoy Prison that there is no reason to believe that any of the prisoners were in a position to give material evidence, or any evidence at all, as to the cause of the death of Nally. Had he had such knowledge as that indicated in the question, the Governor would undoubtedly have communicated it to the Coroner, which would have been following the ordinary course under the circumstances.
§ MR. JACKSONI have had an opportunity of inquiring personally into this matter, and so far as I can gather there was no reason for the Governor to believe that these men were able to give any evidence at all as to the cause of death. No communication took place between the prisoners mentioned and the prisoner Nally subsequent to his illness; and the doctor, to whom I made reference, holds very strongly the opinion that none of the prisoners were in a position to give any evidence at all as to the cause of death. Had the Governor been in possession of any such knowledge he would certainly have communicated it to the Coroner.
MR. P. O'BRIENDid not the allegations of the other prisoners go to show that he was engaged in employment of which he frequently complained was killing him; and having this in view will the right hon. Gentleman not give the public an opportunity of knowing what he himself has learned by taking evidence by means of an independent inquiry?
§ MR. JACKSONThe hon. Member has been good enough to send me the newspaper cutting containing the statement of M'Auley. I have had careful inquiry made, and so far as I have been able to judge none of the statements to which the hon. Gentleman has referred have any foundation in fact.