HC Deb 03 March 1898 vol 54 cc463-4
MR. PINKERTON

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, whether his attention has been directed to the judgment of Mr. Justice Madden, on Saturday last, in which bail, which was opposed by the Crown, was refused in the case of Andrew Boyd, who had been committed for trial on the charge of manslaughter, and who had been in prison since the 29th January; if he is aware that Boyd committed suicide in his cell on the following morning, his mind being unhinged by the refusal of bail; and whether the right hon. Gentleman, in his capacity of adviser for the Crown in criminal prosecutions, will give directions that applications for bail should not be opposed in cases in which there are no reasonable apprehensions of the accused failing to appear?

MR. DUNBAR BARTON

The Attorney General's attention has been directed to the judgment referred to in the Question. It is unfortunately true that Andrew Boyd, who was awaiting trial for the manslaughter of a young woman named Minnie Henderson, committed suicide in Londonderry Gaol on Sunday morning last. At the inquest, held on the following day, a verdict was returned that "Deceased came by his death in H.M Prison, Londonderry, on 27th February 1898, from strangulation inflicted by himself while suffering from temporary insanity." Evidence was given by his brother and his family physician to the effect that he had formerly suffered from insanity, and that at times he became very depressed. There is no reason to believe that the mind of deceased became unhinged by the refusal of bail. It is unnecessary for the Attorney General to give the directions mentioned in the third paragraph of the Question, as the Crown invariably acts upon the principle suggested by the hon. Member.

MR. PINKERTON

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that, owing to the peculiar circumstances of the case, a very strong feeling of sympathy in expressed with the family by the people of the locality?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND

Yes, I am aware that this family is greatly respected, and that the sympathy felt for them is universal.

MR SWIFT MCNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Is it a fact that bail was refused on Saturday, and he committed suicide on Sunday?

MR. DUNBAR BARTON

Yes; but as far as I am aware, he did not know that bail had been refused.