§ MR. W. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether O'Callaghan, an Irish political prisoner confined in Portland, has lost one eye since he has been imprisoned, and the other eye is now affected; and whether, in view of the fact that he is over 12 years in prison, he will be released?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe sight of the left eye of O'Callaghan, an Irish prisoner confined in Portland, was lost from an accident some years before O'Callaghan's imprisonment. In July, 1893, the left eyeball was removed; the operation was perfectly satisfactory, and he made a good recovery, but still continued to suffer locally from a chronic affection of the right eye. In the circumstances of the case I felt myself justified, with the concurrence of the Secretary for Scotland, in recommending his release upon medical grounds, and he was released on March 28.
§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 576 whether, in view of the fact that M'Cann, an Irish political prisoner confined in Portland, is an infirm old man beyond 70 years of age and over 12 years in prison, he will now be released?
§ MR. ASQUITHThis is one of the prisoners who were tried and sentenced by the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh in December, 1883. I am in communication with the Secretary for Scotland in regard to his case.