HC Deb 31 May 1894 vol 25 cc7-8
MR. ARNOLD-FORSTEH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether a convict of the name of O'Leary has recently been discharged from gaol in Ireland; whether this man was convicted in connection with the murder of Head Constable Whelahan; and, if so, what was the term of the imprisonment to which he was sentenced; and whether he has now been discharged in the ordinary course, or as a matter of indulgence before the expiration of his sentence?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOE IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The convict named was released on licence on the 12th instant. He was convicted at the Wicklow Winter Assizes of 1887 of the Whiteboy offence of attacking a dwelling-house, arising out of the murder of Head Constable Whelahan, and was sentenced to 10 years' penal servitude. The other three men convicted for the same offence had been released on licence some time ago, and in view of this I thought the time had arrived when this man might also be released. In the ordinary course he would have been eligible for release in June next year.