HC Deb 28 November 1893 vol 18 cc1904-5
COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the case of Mr. Mooney who died manacled in Galway Gaol, what amount of bail was required, and what amount was offered and refused; how was Mr. Mooney conveyed from Galway to Tuam, and what was the length of the route chosen; if Mr. Mooney had lived, would he have had to be again transported from Galway back to Tuam; if the name of Mr. Mooney was on the charge-sheet of the following Petty Sessions held in Tuam; if the treatment of stimulants prescribed by the Tuam Dispensary doctor was followed on the journey to Galway and also in Galway Gaol; if in Galway Gaol Mr. Mooney was first placed in a padded cell and then removed to an ordinary cell, and, when placed in an ordinary cell, his right hand was fastened to his left elbow, and his left hand to his right elbow; if there was any warder left with him when in this state; if the Prison Regulations of Ireland permit of this peculiar manacling of prisoners; if he would give the reason assigned for not sending Mr. Mooney to the prison hospital; and how many hours elapsed between the first manacling of Mr. Mooney and his death?

MR. ASQUITH (for Mr. J. MORLEY)

I understand that the amount of bail was not mentioned, and that no solvent sureties came forward. Mooney was conveyed by car from Tuam to Galway by the direct public road, a distance of 20 miles. He would, had he lived, have been conveyed back to Tuam for trial at next Petty Sessions, there being, I understand, another charge pending against him, and his name was on the charge sheet at the next Petty Sessions at Tuam. The treatment of stimulants prescribed by the Tuam doctor was followed on the journey to Galway, and a stimulating mixture given to him by the medical officer of the prison. On committal Mooney was first placed in au ordinary reception cell, then in an untried prisoner's cell. After removal from the padded cell he was not placed in an ordinary cell, but in the association cell provided for three persons. No warder was left in the cell, but the officer on night guard visited him every 15 minutes. Manacles were not used, but the authorised restraint belt. Neither the acting medical officer of the prison on the 13th nor the medical officer on the 14th considered him a case for hospital. Mooney was under restraint for 10 hours, and died apparently while sleeping.

COLONEL NOLAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman describe the manacles? Were they of a heavy description?

MR. ASQUITH

I understand that manacles wore not used. It was the authorised restraint belt.

COLONEL NOLAN

Were his wrists tied? That is what I want to know.

MR. ASQUITH

I cannot say.

MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

Was the bolt on at the time of the man's death, or how long before was it removed?

MR. ASQUITH

All I know is that the man had been under restraint 10 hours, and died apparently while asleep. I gather from that that the belt was on.

COLONEL NOLAN

If I put the question down again will the right hon. Gentleman take pains to get the details I ask for and give mo a reasonable answer?

MR. ASQUITH

I am only acting for another. I hope the hon. and gallant Gentleman will defer the points in question until the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant is able to Vie present.

COLONEL NOLAN

I have been asking these questions for 16 days past.