MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether, under the new rules for regulating the executions of capital sentences in Ireland, the executioner is bound to be detained in the prison, or its neighbourhood, until the coroner has decided whether he requires him to give evidence at the inquest; and, if so, who has the power to detain him pending the decision of, the coroner.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe new rules require that the executioner shall remain in the prison until he has completed the execution and until permission is given to him to leave. His detention after the execution would be a matter for 820 arrangement between the sheriff, or his representative, and the governor of the prison.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is a matter, I think, for the governor of the prison. The questions the coroner has to decide are as to the identity of the body and whether the judgment of death was duly executed. It may be that in the opinion of the governor there is ample evidence available from persons other than the excutioner, whose attendance at the execution is a statutory obligation.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of Dr. Cross, alleged to have been executed in Cork gaol——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. The hon. Member must put that Question down on the Paper.
§ MR. SPEAKERThat is a good reason why it should not he put again.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWhen I put the Question before I was told that under the prison rule there was no power to detain the executioner. Now the rules are being altered.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is asking as to a specific case, and he must put his Question down.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI submit, Sir, it is in order to ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in the case of Dr. Cross, alleged to have been executed——
§ MR. SPEAKERIf a Question relates to a particular case, notice must be given.