§ Mr. DORISasked if the right hon. Gentleman can state whether Joseph Conroy, while confined recently in Castlebar prison, county Mayo, in default of giving bail, was granted permission to prepare a statement or brief for his defence in a charge of conspiracy pending against him; and by what authority he was deprived of the document on his discharge from the prison?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe General Prisons Board inform me that Joseph Conroy. while confined in Castlebar Prison, was granted permission to prepare the statement referred to, but when he learned that he would not be tried at the Limerick Winter Assizes he did not finish it. The Governor refused to give the prisoner the document on his discharge, but he has now been directed to return it to Conroy.