§ MR. MAINS (Donegal, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Patrick M'Keefery, a prisoner in Londonderry Gaol, who, while engaged as fatigue man under the supervision of a warder, in removing oakum had to pass a gas jet, and, through no carelessness on his part, the oakum took fire, and that while, by order of the warder, he strove to extinguish it, he was very severely burnt, and had to remain in hospital until his discharge; whether he is aware that, on an application being made to the General Prisons Board, Dublin Castle, on behalf of M'Keefery, for compensation for the injuries he had received, an offer was made to him of £5 in full discharge of any claim he had against them; and if, under the circumstances, the Prisons Board could be induced to give a more adequate compensation to the man?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are generally as stated in the question. The matter was fully inquired into at the time by an Inspector of the General Prisons Board, who were not satisfied that M'Keefery was altogether free from blame. The burns on the prisoner only extended to his hands and part of his arm, and none of them were deep, except on the back of the hands, where the skin was superficially destroyed. The medical officer of the prison states that the burns were all healed at the time of prisoner's discharge. Application for compensation having been made on behalf of M'Keefery, Government were advised that he should be offered a sum of £5 in full compensation for the injuries received by him. This offer has been refused, and Government have no authority to increase the amount as suggested; however, I will look into the matter and see whether anything can be done.