HC Deb 10 July 1905 vol 149 cc81-2
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, when the Army Council considered the case of Thomas Leonard, now imprisoned in Maryborough, under a life sentence for desertion, the Council was aware that the desertion took place more than a year before the outbreak of the war, and that Leon wd, who was employed at the mines, was commandeered by the Boers on the outbreak of the war; I and, if not, will he put this fact before the Council and ask for a reconsideration of Leonard's case; whether he can explain what circumstances influenced the decision of the Army Council in ordering the discharge two years ago from Maryborough Prison of a man who belonged to the same regiment as Leonard, and who was sentenced to death for the murder of a soldier in South Africa daring the late war, while refusing to discharge Leonard, who has now been over five years in prison for desertion.

MR. AENOLD-FORSTER

The Army I Council is aware that Thomas Leonard deserted before the outbreak of war. The evidence given at the Court-martial by which he was tried and sentenced for the offences of desertion and treason, showed that he had not been commandeered by the Boers. Leonard was sentenced in October, 1902, and accordingly only completes three years of his sentence in October next, when his release will be considered if his conduct is good. He was sentenced to penal servitude for life for treason, as well as desertion, in that he was found fighting against his country at Parrdeberg. The case of Private Coughlan, released from Maryborough Prison in 1903, was fully stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Kilkenny or February 28th† last. That case was † See (4) Debates, cxli., 1449. quite different as the man, who had been convicted for murdering a comrade with a rifle, appeared to have been not entirely responsible for his action at the time, owing to his physical and mental condition.

In reply to a farther Question the right hon. Gentleman said the case would have favourable consideration when it came up for review.