HC Deb 06 March 1900 vol 80 cc218-21
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I bog to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he has seen the verdict of a coroner's jury in the case of a life convict named Thomas Casey, who died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Mountjoy prison on Wednesday last, in which a strong opinion is expressed that the man, when found to be hopelessly ill, should have been released; whether he can say when the disease of which Casey died was first diagnosed by the medical officer, and in what prison; is it usual to remove prisoners suffering from this and other serious diseases to Maryborough prison, where the system is less severe and more suitable to invalids than Mountjoy; was Casey in Maryborough prison; why was he sent there, and when; and why was he taken back to Mountjoy, and when.

DR. TANNER

I beg at the same time to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been directed to the report of the inquest on the prisoner John Casey in Mountjoy prison, on Wednesday, 28th February ultimo, at what time was it discovered that he was suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs; will he explain why, when Dr. O'Keefe stated that the case was hopeless, Casey was not discharged; and, if a similar case should occur in Ireland, if the authorities will take steps to offer the prisoner his liberty directly.

MR. ATKINSON

My attention has been directed to the verdict of the coroner's jury in the case of John Casey, lately a convict in Mountjoy prison. The deceased suffered from chronic phthisis since the year 1886, when he was confined in Downpatrick prison. In the same year he was removed to Maryborough invalid prison, where he remained until about eighteen months ago, when, owing to structural alterations in that prison, it became necessary to remove him to Mountjoy prison. In both of these prisons he was classed as a hospital patient, and treated accordingly. His case was under consideration in October, 1897, and October, 1898, and again so recently as October, 1899, but on neither of these occasions was there any reason for exceptional treatment of his case by the exercise of the prerogative of mercy. On the 19th January of this year the prisoner's disease suddenly and unexpectedly became acute, and his case was at once brought under the notice of the Lord Lieutenant, who gave directions that every care should be taken of the man, and that Dr. Wodehouse, the medical member of the Prisons Board, should have full discretion as to his treatment. Dr. Wodehouse frequently saw the deceased since the 19th January, but the man was never since that date fit for removal or discharge, and on his being asked whether in the event of his illness taking a favourable turn he would wish to be transferred to a hospital outside, Casey replied that he would not unless he was likely to recover.

DR. TANNER

May I ask how it comes to pass that the opinion of Dr. Wodehouse is now quoted. Is it not the case that Dr. O'Keefe, the medical officer in charge of the prison, a most capable and extremely humane gentleman, diagnosed this case, and why was his report withheld, and only obtained eventually by putting a question in this House?

MR. ATKINSON

I am not responsible for the conduct of the proceedings.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Is it a fact that this man was over seventeen years in prison, and is it not usual, in cases of sickness which threaten to result in death, to at once release the prisoner?

MR. ATKINSON

The moment sickness threatens loss of life, the question of discharge is considered. As I have explained, it was not until 19th January that this man's case appeared serious.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

How many prisoners have died recently in Mountjoy prison?

*Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Is not this the man for whose release Lord Randolph Churchill and Sir Edward Clarke both voted some years ago?

*Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is not entitled to ask that question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Surely I am entitled to ask whether this man has been dying for many years, and why he was not released?

*Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is not entitled to ask an argumentative question.

DR. TANNER

I shall put further questions on this.