HC Deb 19 June 1902 vol 109 cc1126-7
MR. KENDAL O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been drawn to the treatment of the prisoners convicted under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act at Roscrea, on the 14th May last; whether he is aware that these prisoners Were handcuffed, and driven on open cars in the rain to Ballytrophy, a distance of twelve miles; that they were refused permission to send for overcoats; and that, while wet, these men were taken by night train to Clonmel Gaol; and whether he can give any reason for this procedure, seeing that the prisoners could have been carried to gaol by rail all the way.

MR. WYNDHAM

The police had reason to believe that it was intended to hold a demonstration in Roscrea, if the prisoners had been conveyed from the railway station in the town, and they anticipated that a breach of the peace would ensue, in consequence. In order to avoid any such disturbance, and in the interests of the peace of the town, the prisoners were driven by car to Ballybrophy, the nearest station on the line, some ten miles distant from Roscrea. Two of the prisoners had overcoats, and two of the remaining three had sent their coats home. The three without overcoats were not refused permission to send for them. The fact that they were driven to Ballybrophy did not retard their arrival at Clonmel. It was not possible to avoid sending the prisoners away by night as there was no legal place of detention for them at Roscrea.

MR. DILLON

Is it not the fact that these men were driven ten miles through a drenching rain, and then while wet to the skin bad to go by train to Clonmel Gaol?

MR. WYNDHAM

As I have said, the police deemed it necessary to take this route as they anticipated a disturbance.

MR. DILLON

But surely the right hon. Gentleman might take some precautions against an occurrence which might have cost these men their lives. Is there any truth in the statement that they were handcuffed?

MR. WYNDHAM

On that point I have no information, but I will inquire. I think there was good reason for the action taken by the police under the circumstances. A hot meal was provided for the prisoners before the start, and tea was given them at Ballybrophy, and also at Limerick Junction.

MR. DILLON

But why was not some effort made to give them shelter of some kind when driving ten miles in a drenching rain?

MR. SHEEHAN

rose to put a further Question.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! Notice must be given of any further Question.