§ MR. DILLONTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received any reports from the Medical Officer of Dundalk Gaol as to the condition of health of John M'Elligott; whether he is aware that M'Elligott is 76 years of age, and that he has been now two years in prison for contempt of Court; and whether it has been brought under his notice that one of M'Elligott's daughters has offered to take her father's place in prison if the Court will release M'Elligott; and, if so, will he state whether he can take any action in the matter.
(Answered by Hr. Wyndham.) Reports on the condition of health of prisoners committed for contempt of Court are made at regular intervals to the committing Judge. The medical officer of the prison states that M'Elligott is sleeping and eating well, and is in a better condition of health than when he was first committed. I have no information 1279 in respect to the second part of the Question, and can only repeat what I stated in answer to the honourable Member's previous Question of the 13th July,† that the Master of the Rolls has on several occasions informed the prisoner that a verbal undertaking to abstain from repeating his contempt will be followed by immediate release.