HC Deb 25 June 1902 vol 110 cc22-3
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Denis Johnstone, at present imprisoned at Sligo as a first-class misdemeanant, was on Saturday last served by a bailiff from Frenchpark with a writ at the suit of Lord De Freyne; and whether, having regard to the fact that Mr. John Fitzgibbon and Mr. Patrick Webb are co-defendants in the same suit, are charged therein with conspiracy, and are at present confined in the same prison, he will give directions that these persons shall have facilities for preparing their defence, and for private consultations in regard thereto, and that they shall be at liberty to receive private visits from the co-defendants not in custody.

MR. WYNDHAM

I stated on the 19th instant, that every facility would be given to such of the defendants in a civil action, as might be in custody, to prepare their defence. The prison rules only provide in such matters that prisoners shall be allowed to interview their legal advisers and their authorised clerks. In the present case, however, the Governor has been instructed to permit the prisoners to see any person whom it may be necessary for them to see for the purpose of the defence.

MR. MACVEAGH

Seeing that they are charged with conspiracy, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they can communicate with each other without the presence of the prison warder?

MR. WYNDHAM

They are allowed to confer through their solicitors. The warder is in sight, but not in hearing.