HC Deb 02 May 1892 vol 3 cc1763-4
MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether convicts Cooney, tinker, Mc Donagh, tinker, and Philip Cullen, returned convict—who was flogged in Spike Island—have at their own request been given permanent changes of work in Mountjoy Prison; and whether there is any difference in this respect between their treatment and that of convict O'Leary; and, if so, why?

* MR. JACKSON

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The Report received from the Prisons Board shows that none of the convicts referred to in the question were given permanent change of work at their own request.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

Were they granted change not permanent, but for any time?

* MR. JACKSON

The point of the hon. Member's question is whether any change of work was made at their own request, and I understand that no change has been made at their own request.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

The right hon. Gentleman has not stated if there was any difference in the treatment of O'Leary?

* MR. JACKSON

My answer is that none of the convicts mentioned had any change made in their work at their own request. As a matter of fact the change may have been made as a punishment.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork, N.E.)

Is it not a fact that there have been several complaints of the treatment of political prisoners under the present Governor of Mountjoy Prison, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of ordering an independent outside inquiry to ascertain if there is any foundation for these complaints?

* MR. JACKSON

I do not think there is any such necessity. I had an opportunity, and personally inspected this prison, and came to the conclusion that I had never seen a prison better ordered.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

Of course, the prison officials, knowing of the right hon. Gentleman's intended visit, had everything in "apple-pie order."

* MR. JACKSON

The hon. Member has made a very bad shot. I purposely went to the prison without announcing my intention of doing so, and nobody knew I was going there. When I arrived the Governor was not there, and no one knew me.

MR. MACNEILL

How did the right hon. Gentleman get in if he was not known?

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

Did the right hon. Gentleman have an interview with O'Leary and take his account of his treatment?

* MR. JACKSON

I must have notice of any further questions.

MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

If the right hon. Gentleman has not had the accounts of prisoners I do not know how he can judge of their treatment.