MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a military prisoner, named Thomas Leonard, of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, is at present in Maryborough Prison under a life sentence for an offence against military law committed in South Africa during the late war; and whether, seeing that many other military prisoners who were under long 265 sentences, and one who was sentenced to death for murder, have been discharged, he can say why Leonard is still in prison; and whether it is intended to order his discharge at once; and, if not, what special circumstances require that when the South African War is over Leonard is the only prisoner of the late war in prison in Ireland.
§ MR. WALTER LONGIn cases such as this the Lord-Lieutenant is guided, in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, by the advice of the military authorities. I have already informed the hon. Member that the Army Council is unable, at present, to recommend a remission of the sentence imposed on the prisoner, and that the question of his release will be further considered by the Army Council in October next, when he will have completed three years of his sentence.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENBut why is this man detained while another man in the same regiment who was sentenced to death has been discharged?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have ex plained that the military authorities have not advised his release, and the Lord-Lieutenant has no right to demand their reasons.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENBut I suppose I have a right to demand them, and I again ask why a man convicted of murder has been discharged and this man detained? Seeing that the war is over, is the whole force of the British Crown now directed against this single unfortunate prisoner?
§ * MR. SPEAKERNotice must be given of any further Question.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOh, I will give notice, and I will give the recuiting sergeants in Ireland notice too.