HC Deb 24 February 1903 vol 118 cc673-4
MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Cork)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of John M'Elligott, a Protestant farmer from Shraugh, County Cavan, now two years in Dundalk gaol for contempt of court; and whether, after this long term of imprisonment, he can hold out any prospect of M'Elligott's speedy release.

MR. WYNDHAM

I stated in reply to a similar question put to me yesterday that the Executive has no power to intervene in such cases. To purge his contempt the prisoner must apply to the Master of the Rolls, the committing Judge.

MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN

May I ask if this terrible abuse of power—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. MACVEAGH

Is there any precedent in this country for a man being kept two years in prison without trial?

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

May I ask—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The Question on the Paper has been fully answered.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

I wish to ask if the Judge has power to inflict imprisonment for life?

*MR. SPEAKER

That is not the Question.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

May I ask whether, in view of this and similar cases, the Government will undertake to introduce legislation to prevent—

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of that Question.