HC Deb 23 February 1905 vol 141 cc1088-90
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what were the offences for which the seven prisoners were convicted by Court-Martial in connection with the South African War, who were confined in Irish prisons and recently discharged; what were the grounds upon which they were discharged; and how much of their respective sentences had each served.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The detailed statistics required are too long to read out to the House, but I will hand them to the hon. Member for his information.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman state the charges and how much of the sentences was served.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

There are two pages of details. I do not think the House would deem it convenient to have them read.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I claim that the Answer ought to be read.

MR. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman can give any Answer he pleases.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

He has it in his hands. I think I have a right to have it read.

MR. SPEAKER

It is not a question of right. It is for the right hon. Gentleman to exercise his judgment on the matter.

Appended is the Answer referred to:—

Name. Charges upon which Convicted. Sentence and Date.
William Sherry (1) When on active service—drunkenness. 5 years penal servitude on 12th February 1901. Released on 12th May, 1902, on completion of fifteen months of sentence, by order of the Commander-in-chief.
(2) Shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
James Halvey (1) Striking superior officer on active service. 7 years penal servitude on 27th May, 1901. Commuted by Commander-in-Chief two years hard labour in June, 1902; released on 13th October, 1902, on his embarkation for India after completeing sixteen and a half months.
(2) Violence to superior officer on active service.
Thomas Ryan (1) Releasing a prisoner from lawful custody. 5 years penal servitude on 28th May, 1901. Commuted by Commander-in-Chief to eighteen months hard labour in June, 1902; sentence expired 27th November, 1902.
(2) Insubordinate language to superior officer on active service.
(3) Inciting mutiny
Thomas Coughlan (1) Murder Death. 28th June, 1901. Commuted to penal servitude for life; released on 21st December, 1903, by Commander-in-Chief after completing two and a half years in prison, it being considered by the Judge Advocate-General that the case was one in which a verdict of manslaughter might properly have been found, there being an absence of motive.
John McDonagh (1) Housebreaking (2 charges). 3 years penal servitude on 18th April, 1902. Released on 17th October, 1903, on completion of eighteen months of sentence, by order of Commander-in-Chief,
Martin Kavanagh (1) Receiving stolen goods (2 charges). 3 years penal servitude on 19th April, 1902. Released on 17th October, 1903, on completion of one year of sentence, by order of the Commander-in-Chief.
Charles Kavanagh (1) Insubordinate language and striking his superior officer. 5 years penal servitude on 22nd November, 1902. Commuted to one and a half years hard labour on 11th February, 1903, by order of the Commander-in-Chief. Sentence expired 21st October, 1904.