§ Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that, as a general rule, the courts of petty sessions in Ireland sat on the day after the weekly market or monthly fair, and that persons arrested in these fairs or markets, charged with indictable offences, or offences which might be punished with imprisonment under the Summary Jurisdiction Acts, or with drunkenness, were detained in custody, from the time of arrest in the fair or market until the sitting of the petty sessions court next day, in the strong room or cell of the local Royal Irish Constabulary barrack; and would he state what 2061 sleeping accommodation was provided in these strong rooms for such persons awaiting trial?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not aware that any such general rule as that indicated in the first paragraph of the question exists. No sleeping accommodation is supplied in the strong room in police barracks other than that afforded by an inclined wooden platform. Prisoners are not unnecessarily detained, and, when detained, are treated with much consideration.