MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the cases of Fitzharris, Mullett, and Hanlan, who have suffered long imprisonment, are under consideration; and whether they have been recently medically examined, and by whom; and whether Maryborough Gaol, in which they are confined, is regarded as the invalid prison of Ireland?
§ MR. M. MCCARTAN (Down, S.)In connection with this question may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that during the many years these prisoners were in Downpatrick Gaol by their exemplary conduct they won the sympathy and admiration even of the Tory doctor who attended the gaol; and whether he is also aware that there is a very strong feeling in favour of the amnesty of these men in the north of Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI did not quite catch the hon. Member's question, but I have no reason to think that the conduct of these men was otherwise than good. Memorials from Convicts Fitzharris and Mullett have been received, and are under consideration. NO memorial has been received from Hanlan. All three convicts are under the constant medical supervision of the resident medical officer of Maryborough Prison and of the visiting physician. They were also examined by the medical member of the Prisons Board on the 11th inst. Maryborough Prison is partly an invalid prison and partly an agricultural one for selected prisoners.