MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the report which appeared in the Cork Examiner of Friday last regarding the serious illness of Mr. Murphy, at present undergoing a sentence of six months in Cork gaol for his defence of Watergrasshill; whether it is true that his condition is 947 so serious that the two doctors who attended and operated on him ordered a Catholic clergyman to be sent for, who administered the last rites of the Church; whether, seeing that he has already served four months in prison, steps will be taken to have him released immediately.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe prisoner suffered from tonsilitis. The prison medical officer was sent for on Thursday last, but before his arrival the chaplain's substitute administered religious rites to the prisoner. Subsequently the medical officer lanced an abscess in the prisoner's throat, since when his condition has improved. His life was not and is not in danger. The doctor did not send for the clergyman. Any memorial in favour of a mitigation of sentence will at once be considered.
§ MR. KILBRIDEDid not the Solicitor-General tell the right hon. Gentleman that this man was in a dangerous state at the time of his conviction? Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to convert the sentence into a death penalty?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI received no such information from the Solicitor-General.
§ MR. WALTER LONGIf the medical reports say the man is in danger I will certainly do so.