HC Deb 28 April 1909 vol 4 cc335-6
Mr. DUFFY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. N. O'Donohoe, chairman of the Gort District Council and a justice of the peace for the county Galway, was refused admission to visit Galway Prison when he called there recently; whether, notwithstanding the fact that he has exercised the right of visiting Galway Prison for years back since his appointment as magistrate, any special order has been issued by the Prisons Board to the governor of the prison directing him to refuse admission to magistrates of the county when they call to make an inspection in the exercise of their office; and will he lay upon the Table of the House any such order and explain under what power and authority the governor of the prison refused admission to Mr. O'Donohoe and relatives of untried prisoners?

Mr. BIRRELL

Mr. O'Donohoe was refused admission to the prison under a misapprehension, as it was believed that the prisoners whom he asked to see did not come from a district where he had jurisdiction. Subsequent inquiries have shown that this was a mistake, and the governor of the prison has been so informed. No order was issued by the General Prisons Board on the subject, but the governor has no power to admit magistrates not being visiting justices and not having jurisdiction in the place where the prison is situate, unless prisoners from their districts are confined in the prison.

Mr. DUFFY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. O'Donohoe frequently visited prisoners before, and, having regard to the fact that the people of the West of Ireland, and particularly Galway, have a very strong suspicion that the governor acted at the instance of the authorities with a view to manufacturing evidence, will instructions be given to the governor to prevent a recurrence of such discreditable proceedings in the future?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. Member knows a mistake arose on the part of the governor. He has been informed that Mr. O'Donohoe is entitled to visit the prisoners in the prison, and no further difficulty will arise.

Mr. DUFFY

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether, since the day of the refusal by the governor to admit the friends of the prisoners, the informer, in this particular case, was spirited into the prison, and, if so, for what purpose?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know.